The State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program, authorized by Section 3013 of the PHSA as amended by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), is designed to promote health information exchange (HIE) across the health care system. The appropriate and secure electronic exchange of health information will improve care coordination, clinical outcomes, and the patient experience. Widespread adoption and meaningful use of health information technology (HIT) is foundational to the development of a high performance health care system.

• Purpose -- The program aims to facilitate and expand the secure electronic exchange of health information among organizations according to nationally recognized standards. This program is a Federal-State collaboration with a long-term goal of ensuring nationwide HIE and interoperability. To this end, ONC awarded cooperative agreements to States and State Designated Entities (SDEs).

• Program -- This program focuses on helping States and SDEs support their providers in achieving HIE meaningful use goals, objectives, and measures. Total funding for this initiative is $564,000,000.

• Grantees -- ONC announced the State HIE Cooperative Agreement Program awardees in March 2010. A total of 56 States, eligible Territories, and qualified SDEs received awards.