information

The Office of Health Information Technology (OHIT)
HRSA’s Office of Health Information Technology (OHIT) was formed in December 2005 as the principal advisor to the HRSA Administrator in developing an Agency-wide HIT strategy. The OHIT promotes the adoption and effective use of HIT in the safety net community. The goal of the office is to bring HIT to America’s safety net providers; in particular HRSA grantees, to improve quality of care, reduce health disparities, increase efficiency in care delivery systems, increase patient safety, decrease medical errors, prevent a digital divide, and allow providers to improve quality and efficiency of the care they provide. HRSA’s goal is not simply for safety net providers to collect data; the data must also be used to improve individual and population health. The long-term vision of HRSA and OHIT is to transform systems of care for safety net populations through the effective use of HIT.
OHIT awards planning and implementation grants for telehealth, electronic health records (EHRs), and other HIT innovations, while encouraging market-based solutions, and encouraging providers to incorporate HIT as a normal cost of doing business. The Office provides technical assistance to HRSA grantees and staff related to effective HIT adoption and Federal and State policies and legislation. OHIT also provides leadership and representation for HRSA grantees with Federal and State policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders.
For fiscal year (FY) 2007, OHIT funded four new grants targeted to HRSA health centers for a total of $33 million. Health centers are community-based and consumer-run organizations that serve populations with limited access to health care. These include low income populations, the uninsured, those with limited English proficiency, migrant and seasonal farm workers, individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and those living in public housing. These grants were based on comments that we received from our safety net providers about how best to support HIT adoption.
Health Information Technology Planning Grants