WASHINGTON


–
U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and
Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today praised the Department of Health and Human Services grant of $2.9 million to



Maryland


‘s Community Health Integrated Partnership (CHIP) to adopt electronic health records and other health information technology.
   The funding is part of the

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s
investment in expanding health care services to low-income and uninsured individuals through its health center program. 

“Our health care delivery system of the future will require that patient records be available electronically to ensure accurate and effective medical care without duplication of services,” said
Senator Cardin.  “This Recovery Act funding is important because it will ensure better patient care and it will help create a more efficient system that will save millions of dollars.”

“Successful adoption of health information technology has tremendous potential to save lives, save money and reduce the hassle factor for health care providers and patients,” said
Senator Mikulski, a senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and a leader on national health care reform. “These funds will help our state take another step forward in improving the quality of care for the people of







Maryland


.”

Community Health Integrated Partnership (CHIP) is a not-for-profit network, comprised of 10 federally qualified health centers that provides management, information technology and quality improvement programs that support the mission of its member health centers.  The CHIP health centers operate 52 health care delivery sites throughout rural and urban

Maryland




. In 2008, these health centers served 128,757 unduplicated patients and provided 574,434 patient visits.  

Today’s HHS announcement included a total of $83.9 million in grants nationwide to help health care center networks adopt electronic and technology upgrades.