States show growing interest in health IT

A new study suggests that state interest in health IT investment has been mounting steadily in recent times. In fact, health IT projects are high on many state governors' agendas, according to a new report from government business research firm Input. So far this year, 27 percent of governors delivering state-of-the-state speeches mentioned health IT benefits, up from 14 percent last year, according to the firm. Governors are expressing strong support for EMRs, e-prescribing and health data interchanges, despite facing budget crunches and a faltering national economy, hopeful that these technologies can actually save money. And they're not just talking. For example, Minnesota has set aside $18.5 million for HIT projects in its 2008-09 budget, and Missouri $15 million.

To learn more about this study:
- read this Government Health IT article

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