AR SB470

Appropriates $5,000,000 to the Office of Health Information Technology from the General Improvement Fund for grants covering personal services, operating expenses, professional fees, and debt service.

Funds designated to increase electronic health records adoption, improve patient care and outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance health information exchange efficiency.

Appropriations exempt from restrictions applicable to other programs, allowing adoption of new rules and regulations to implement the act's intent.

Institutions receiving funds may supplement state treasury dollars with federal funds, grants, and donations, but may not use existing maintenance and operations funding for these purposes.

Act effective July 1, 2017, with emergency clause declaring the immediate effectiveness essential to agency operations and preservation of public health programs.