Federal Foundation Assistance Monitor

(HEALTH CARE) MD Funds IT Exchange Program

Maryland develops a health information exchange system in hopes of making the state a leader in health information technology nationwide--and the way the system is organized will allow additional funding to flow from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (PL 111-5).

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The state's Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) awarded $10 million to support the development of an exchange system that controls costs, improves the quality and effectiveness of health care and ensures that patient care is guided by the best information available.

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The exchange system will be developed by the Chesapeake Regional Information Systems for our Patients (CRISP), a nonprofit collaboration among four major health care provider systems.

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CRISP will develop an exchange that will serve all health care providers in Maryland and allow them to translate and share electronic records under requirements to protect patient privacy. By designating and funding CRISP to develop the health information exchange, Maryland will be able to receive federal Recovery Act funding.

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Info: For more on the effort, please visit www.hscrc.state.md.us (HSCRC) and www.crisphealth.org (CRISP).

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