The Federal Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health

The federal Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 (HITECH Act; Leyva & Leyva, 2011), enacted February 17, 2009, is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The ARRA was enacted to stimulate various sectors of the United States. The health information technology (HIT) industry was one area where lawmakers saw an opportunity to stimulate the economy and improve the delivery of health care at the same time.