GITA distributes $685,535 in rural health grants

Six rural health communities will share more than $685,000 thanks to recent grants by the Arizona Government Information Technology Agency. The grants are part of the Arizona Health-e Connection Roadmap.

Marana Health Center in Marana, Ariz. was the biggest beneficiary, bringing in $173,775 in grant money. The Regional Center for Border Health in Somerton. received the second highest amount, $150,000. The center serves the western Arizona region, including the La Paz, Yuma and Mohave counties.

"These planning grants are an important step in our efforts to modernize the State's health care infrastructure," said Gov. Janet Napolitano. "As we continue to implement the Arizona Health-e Connection Roadmap, we will be able to securely exchange patient health information electronically – leading to improved quality and reduced costs of health care statewide."

The grant program, a Napolitano executive order in 2005, works to improve rural health care facilities and providers. The goal of the program is to improve quality and efficiency in health care delivery, increase secure exchange of health information and lower health care costs in the state.

Rural community health centers and organizations were asked to submit grant applications that demonstrated high levels of collaboration, partnership and planning for e-health programs. Other rural awardees included:

. Benson Hospital, Benson - $103,576.

. Cochise (County) Health Network, Bisbee - $106,370.

. Verde Valley Guidance Center, Cottonwood - $99,052.

. Yuma Regional Medical Center, Yuma - $57,762.

The program also added an additional $298,663 in consulting and educational services to rural centers in 2008.

“The formation of RHIOs is a critical step in the Arizona Health-e Connection Roadmap implementation efforts.” said Chris Cummiskey, GITA director and Arizona chief information officer. “By focusing the 2008 RHITA Grants on RHIO development, we have maximized the impact of the grants.”