Feds Help Rural Docs With Electronic Records

The federal government is offering a total of $12 million in one-time grants to help networks of rural health-care providers achieve "meaningful use" of electronic health record systems.

The Rural Health Information Technology Network Program anticipates awarding about 40 grants of $300,000 each, on average. The program's target is "rural providers who work in formal networks, alliances, coalitions or partnerships" and are trying to achieve meaningful use, according to the grant notice published Wednesday by the Health Resources and Services Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.