WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) joined Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to announce over $16 million for Geisinger Clinic in Danville.  Geisinger is one of 15 communities selected across the country to serve as pilot communities for eventual wide-scale use of health information technology through the Beacon Community program.  The $220 million in Recovery Act awards will not only help achieve meaningful and measurable improvements in health care quality, safety and efficiency in the selected communities, but also help lay the groundwork for an emerging health IT industry that is expected to support tens of thousands of jobs.

"Geisinger has been a model for quality and efficient health care throughout the country," said Congressman Kanjorski.  "Today, I joined Vice President Biden to announce funding that will help enable Geisinger to continue its outstanding work for Northeastern Pennsylvania.  Through the Beacon Community program and the expansion of health information using new technologies, Geisinger can work to further enhance care for the patients at its facilities, as well as those at other health care institutions.  This program helps bring our health care community together for the betterment of patients while also creating jobs at home."

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