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| Wilson Welcomes Federal Funds for NM Medicaid Program |
January 26, 2007 |
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HHS Grants Will Improve State’s Technology
Albuquerque, NM – Congresswoman Heather Wilson today welcomed federal funds for New Mexico to improve the efficiency and quality of state Medicaid services through record-keeping technology.
Over the next two years, the state of New Mexico will receive federal help for two projects: $855,220 for e-Prescribing and $712,301 for the Electronic Health Record Project.
These funds, authorized by Congress through the US Department of Health and Human Services, are Medicaid “transformation grants” under section 6081 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA). Congress approved a total of $150 million for these Medicaid “transformation grants” to be distributed nationally throughout fiscal years 2007 and 2008. The funds give states flexibility as they streamline and modernize systems to better serve patients.
“About 410,000 New Mexicans depend on Medicaid for basic health care access,” Wilson said. “Technology plays a key part in improving services, and these federal funds will help. New Mexicans should have access to quality health care at an affordable price.”
“I have always believed Medicaid should be reformed to improve the health of people who rely on the program. These grants take the first step in helping states make Medicaid a better program that improves people’s health. Health Information technology, like e-prescribing and electronic medical records, has the potential to prevent medical errors and save lives, and I’m glad Medicaid will be a leader in adopting this technology,” said Wilson.
No state matching funds are required for these grants. More information on the grants and how state Medicaid agencies can apply for the next round of awards is on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Web site at: www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidTransGrants.
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