Image of nurses' hands at computer keyboard

Think there is a mind-boggling number of information technology-related vendors in the market now? Just wait. The economic stimulus package recently signed by President Obama is laden with sweeteners that are likely to attract even more. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act includes $17 billion in incentives for providers who adopt electronic health records. Another $2 billion will go to the Department of Health and Human Services for a broad range of state and local grants as well as an effort to accelerate the move to interoperability standards. Providers will have access to billions of dollars so they can purchase needed technology-related goods and services. For many vendors, this may prove to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.