The White House has given a significant chunk of a $220 million stimulus-funded effort to help fight diabetes, according to multiple published reports. There were a total of 15 major grants awarded to “Beacon Communities” announced yesterday.
The Deseret News reports that a $15.8 million grant went to HealthInsight of Salt Lake City, a company that uses electronic health records to help medical providers track the diabetes management of patients. Tthe grants will help alert patients when they are due for blood tests or eye exams. It will also make sure all doctors are aware of their condition.
The goal is to help these diabetic patients get regular care and stay on top of their disease in order prevent complications and reduce hospitalizations. Complications such as heart attack, bstroke, kidney damage, blindness and amputations are not only devastating physically to patients, they can be very expensive. The goal with the program is to achieve better care while reducing overall medical costs by enhancing the use of electronic records in medical care.
As part of the same initiative, a $16.1 million grant was awarded to the Western New York region. A report from the Buffalo News says this grant will impact as many as 60,000 people with diabetes. The report also said the amped-up use of electronic records will help improve the treatment patients receive at the emergency room and cut back on wasteful duplication of paperwork.
The White House says the initiative will create about 1,100 jobs in the short-term and tens of thousands of jobs down the road.
Below is a list of the ’Beacon Communities’ and the amounts they were awarded from the initiative.
Tulsa, Oklahoma – $12 million
Stoneville, Mississippi $14.7 million
Brewer, Maine – $12.7 million
Danville, Pennsylvania – $16.1 million
Salt Lake City, Utah – $15.8 million
Indianapolis, Indiana – $16 million
Spokane, Washington – $15.7 million
New Orleans, Louisiana – $13.5 million
Rochester, Minnesota - $12.3 million
Providence, Rhode Island – $15.9 million
Grand Junction, Colorado – $11. 9 million
Concord, North Carolina – $15.9 million
San Diego, California – $15.3 million
Hilo, Hawaii – $16.1 million
Buffalo, New York – $16.1 million
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