MINNEAPOLIS, January 29, 2008— The MMA reminds practices in Greater Minnesota that the Minnesota Department of Health is offering no-interest, long-term Electronic Health Record (EHR) loans to select applicants.

The department’s Office of Rural Health and Primary Care administers the program, which offers six-year, no-interest loans for installation or support of interoperable health record systems.

A total of $3.15 million is available for each year of this biennium. The funds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to those qualified.

Eligible organizations include community clinics, rural hospitals, physician clinics in towns with populations less than 50,000, nursing facilities, and other health-care providers or services.

To access the pre-application or application, visit www.health.state.mn.us/divs/orhpc/funding/index.html#ehrloan.

Pre-approval is required before submitting an application. For application form, go to www.health.state.mn.us/divs/orhpc/funding

The MDH also provides grants for EHRs in special cases.