This week we learned more about plans for Stage 3 Meaningful Use during the most recent Health IT Policy Committee meeting, even as the program faces more criticism. Also, a hefty fine for HIPAA violations could send a message to the healthcare industry.

MIAMI & BOSTON-- CareCloud, the fastest-growing provider of cloud-based practice management, electronic health records (EHR), and medical billing software and services, today announced it has secured an additional $9 million from Adams Street Partners as part of the Company’s Series B financing round. On June 18, 2013, CareCloud announced it had secured $20 million in Series B funding, led by Tenaya Capital and included existing investors Intel Capital and Norwest Venture Partners. This additional funding was the result of continued interest from investors to participate in CareCloud’s latest round, which is now closed at $29 million, and brings CareCloud’s total funding to $55 million. Adams Street Partners is one of the world’s largest managers of private equity for institutional investors and currently manages over $25 billion of committed capital for institutional investors.

NEW YORK, Aug. 14, 2013 -- The New York eHealth Collaborative (NYeC) announced today that Mana Health, a New York City-based Health IT start-up, was awarded the vendor contract to build the Patient Portal for New Yorkers. The portal is a website through which New Yorkers will be able to access their healthcare records safely and securely online.

The Department of Health & Human Services Office of Civil Rights has been warning healthcare providers to conduct risk analyses and act on any deficiencies discovered. A settlement between the government and Affinity Health Plan confirms that this advice is worth heeding.

A Canadian hospital has fired a nurse over allegations that she inappropriately accessed more than 1,300 patient records over the past nine years.

Surescripts is adding 19 state health information exchanges (HIEs) and health information service providers (HISPs) to its network. The new connections will facilitate clinical data sharing across local and regional care communities for improved care coordination, according to its Aug. 13 announcement. The network supports Direct and other security standards and initiatives.

As discussion rages on about specifics of objectives for Stage 3 Meaningful Use and whether the program should even continue on its current timeline, Farzad Mostashari, MD, ScM, announced that he will leave his position this fall.

LOUISVILLE, Ky.-- Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), one of the nation’s leading health and well-being companies, recently announced its partnership with Greenway Medical Technologies, Inc. to provide integrated technology to primary care providers, which will help doctors and payers exchange clinical information.