Friday, April 26, 2024
4/26/2024
The Lovelace Clinic Foundation (LCF) and its partners, the New Mexico Medical Review Association (NMMRA) and New Mexico Primary Care Association (NMPCA), propose to develop and operate the New Mexico Regional Center (NMRC), a state-wide ONC regional extension center. LCF, established in 1990 to foster health services research and provider education, is a leader in promoting HIT adoption. It spearheaded the development of the New Mexico Health Information Collaborative which has been designated the state???s Health Information Exchange (HIE) organization. NMMRA is the state???s federally-designated Medicare Quality Improvement Organization and state-contracted Medicaid External Quality Review Organization. It has extensive expertise in small practice EHR implementation, gained through successful efforts operating the CMS Doctor Office Quality???Information Technology program. NMPCA, the HRSA-designated State Primary Care Association, represents 20 organizations with 117 primary care clinics throughout the state and has acquired significant relevant expertise as the operator of a community health center controlled (HCCN) EHR/Practice Management network for nine years. NMRC???s mission is to promote and implement EHRs in priority primary care practices throughout New Mexico and to achieve meaningful use by the end of 2011. During 2010-2011 NMRC will enroll 1,035 priority clinicians and provide them direct technical assistance in the areas of vendor selection, group purchasing, workflow analysis and redesign, system implementation, privacy and security best practices, and training and support. NMRC???s highly qualified staff, armed with cutting edge analytical, project management, and technical tools, will assist practices to overcome the barriers that prevent rural and small practice providers from effectively and efficiently implementing EHRs. Post-implementation, NMRC will assist providers to achieve meaningful use by productively utilizing EHR functionality in electronic prescribing and quality improvement reporting and interfacing with the HIE to facilitate interoperability and exchange health information. NMRC will also educate non-priority providers statewide on the benefits of adoption of certified EHR systems. NMRC will work with the National Learning Consortium, professional societies, hospitals, community colleges and universities to develop educational materials, tools, and HIT courses and programs to serve clients and assist with workforce development. New Mexico ranks 39th in population, but is the fifth largest state geographically. Of 33 counties, 32 are fully or partially classified as underserved by HRSA. The state ranks second in percentage of uninsured patients in the country and has the highest percentage of Hispanics and second highest percentage of Native Americans in the nation. The primary care workforce is stretched thin and will benefit greatly from NMRC???s services. NMRC???s partners have a combined 70 years of productive interaction with these providers and bring outstanding strengths to NMRC. They have a strong history of collaboration on HIT projects and a well-earned reputation for competence with federal and state agencies and key stakeholders. Over 500 priority primary-care providers have already committed to working with NMRC and stakeholders are lined up in support of it. After the first two years, NMRC will develop financial sustainability by continuing to serve many in its initial provider base and expanding its services to non-priority providers.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
