Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration (SSA) received $40 million in stimulus funding for health information technology (HIT) research and other activities. 

Of that amount, $24 million is being used by the agency for activities to ease the adoption of electronic medical records in disability claims. The target date for contract decisions is March 31, 2010. The remaining $16 million is designated for other IT needs, including hardware, software, IT support and videoconferencing services. This amount will be used to directly support the increased workload the agency is encountering because of the aging of the Baby Boom generation and the increased number of persons filing claims related to the economic downturn. 

In addition, the agency has $500 million available to replace its 30-year-old National Computer Center near Baltimore, including related IT costs. Contracts to design and build the facility are expected to be solicited in the first quarter of fiscal 2011.

For more information, visit the following:

http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/program-plan&program_id=7639

http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content%2Fagency-recovery-plan&agency_id=016

http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/program-plan&program_id=7617

Information about other stimulus-related initiatives regarding health information technology is available in the Dell health section.