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Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Georgia to bid for electronic health records program

Georgia could be one of 12 states across the nation to receive federal money to help small and medium-market doctor practices. The aim is to encourage physicians to make the jump from paper medical record-filing--to electronic.

The U.S Health and Human Services Secretary was in Atlanta today to announce the 150-million dollar demonstration project. It would direct 12-15 million dollars to each of the approved medical markets.

Governor Sonny Perdue was on-hand for the announcement. He says this incentive-based program can help spur health care growth in the state.

"Once we get those providers out here who don’t think its going to be a change, and nobody likes change and inconvienence…once they see the value of how they can go back and assess what happened to this patient when I did this, and what happened there and do that electronically. I think it will be very amazing and revolutionary for them and grow."

There is an application process for the project. Georgia will apply, and would hear something by late summer-early fall.

Georgia health officials say if money is approved, it would go to help several areas of the state.

GPB News Team: