The State Innovation Models Initiative is providing up to $300 million to support the development and testing of state-based models for multipayer payment and healthcare delivery system transformation with the aim of improving health system performance for residents of participating states.

With a hefty national deficit and climbing healthcare costs in the U.S., many are looking at innovations in health IT to help rein in costs and improve care.

This week offered a wide range of advances and developments for a smorgasbord with something for everyone.

Doug Fridsma, chief scientist, hosted the Office of the National Coordinator of Health IT’s first Google+ Hangout on Feb. 11. He discussed the office’s main activities and plans for continuing to transform healthcare with IT.

Illinois has been conditionally approved to operate a state partnership marketplace (exchange), which will be ready for open enrollment in October.

The Bipartisan Policy Center has issued recommendations for the Department of Health and Human Services' proposed health IT safety plan.

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives' (CHIME) board of trustees has selected Russell P. Branzell to serve as its president and CEO.

The National Association of Accountable Care Organizations (NAACOS), representing more than 60 ACOs from more than 15 states, is a 501(c)6 nonprofit that will nationally seek to allow ACOs to work together to increase quality of care, lower costs and improve the health of their communities.