State electronic health records (EHR) loan program

§ 2821. State electronic health records (EHR) loan program. 1.
Definitions. As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the following meanings unless a different meaning is plainly
required by the context:

(a) "Authority" shall mean the dormitory authority of the state of New
York created by title four of article eight of the public authorities
law which has succeeded to the powers, functions and duties of the
medical care facilities finance agency pursuant to chapter eighty-three
of the laws of nineteen hundred ninety-five.

(b) "Eligible health care provider" shall mean any health care
provider organized under the laws of this state eligible to receive
federal funds, which has been approved for participation in this program
by the commissioner.

(c) "EHR loan fund" shall mean the certified electronic health records
technology loan fund authorized to be established by the authority
pursuant to this section.

2. The authority shall establish the EHR loan fund. Funds shall be
transferred or appropriated to the authority for deposit in the EHR loan
fund as authorized pursuant to any provision of law. Funds in the EHR
loan fund shall be held by the authority pursuant to this section as
custodian, administered by the authority pursuant to an agreement with
the commissioner and invested by the authority in accordance with the
investment guidelines of the authority. All investment income shall be
credited to, and any repayments of loans as hereinafter provided shall
be deposited in, the EHR loan fund, and spent therefrom only for the
purposes set forth in this section.

3. The commissioner and the authority shall enter into an agreement,
subject to the approval of the director of the division of the budget,
for the purpose of administering the moneys in the EHR loan fund in a
manner that will benefit the public health by encouraging improvements
in the health care delivery system through the use of information
technology in the state. Such agreement shall include, but not be
limited to, the following provisions:

(a) for the receipt, management and expenditure of funds held in the
EHR loan fund by the authority;

(b) for the development of program components, including but not
limited to provider eligibility and terms and conditions of loans, and
for the development and implementation of strategic plans for eligible
health care providers, addressing the development of meaningful
electronic health record improvements, including strategies for
facilitating the purchase of certified electronic health records
technology, enhancing the utilization of certified electronic health
records technology, training personnel in the use of such technology and
supporting the secure exchange of electronic health information to and
from electronic health records; and

(c) other requirements set forth by the Secretary of the United States
Department of Health and Human Services with respect to the state EHR
loan fund for the expenditure by the authority from the EHR loan fund to
reimburse the authority and the department for the cost of administering
the loan fund.

4. Any eligible health care provider may apply for EHR loan funds to
the extent such funds are derived from deposits made pursuant to law by
the state. The commissioner and the authority shall consider the extent
to which an eligible health care provider can provide matching funds
that may be required by law.

5. To the extent funds are available from an eligible health care
provider, expenditures from the EHR loan fund shall be repaid to the EHR
loan fund from repayments received by the authority, from an eligible
health care provider pursuant to the terms of any financing agreement,
mortgage or loan document permitting the recovery from the eligible
health care provider of such expenditures. The authority shall record
the account for all such payments, which shall be deposited in the EHR
loan fund account.

6. Loans from the EHR loan fund shall be made pursuant to an agreement
with the eligible health care provider specifying the terms thereof,
including repayment terms. The authority shall record and account for
all such repayments, which shall be deposited in the EHR loan fund. The
authority shall report annually to the director of the division of
budget, the chair of the senate finance committee and the chair of the
assembly ways and means committee, on the transactions in the EHR loan
fund, including but not limited to deposits to the fund, loans made from
the fund, investment income, and the balance on hand as of the end of
each year.

7. The commissioner is authorized, with the assistance and cooperation
of the authority, to provide a program of technical assistance for
eligible health care providers.

8. The commissioner may promulgate regulations, including emergency
regulations, to implement the provisions of this section.