Congressman Wu's "10,000 by 2010" Bill Passed by House

The House approved on a voice vote Wednesday H.R. 1467, Congressman David Wu's (D-OR) 10,000 by 2010 legislation. The bill is designed to increase the amount of health informatics-focused curriculum in higher education institutions.

The bill authorizes the appropriations of nearly $99.6million for the National Science Foundation.  These appropriations will fund programs to increase the amount and diversity of training available to those seeking University degrees in fields related to health informatics.  Specifically the bill will appropriate:

• $37.2 million to improve and expand university health IT education programs.
• $29.2 million to two-year colleges to expand or create associate degree programs in health IT.
• $18.6 million for universities to establish Centers for Informatics Research that would generate innovative approaches to information by conducting cutting-edge research.
• $14.6 million for basic research on health IT

This bill stands as the only HIT legislation to come out of the House this year.  To read the bill click here.

To read eHI's brief on HR. 1467 click here.