Oregon Health & Science University's Oregon Office of Rural Health announced Oregon has received Small Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) grants totaling $285,888 for fiscal year 2006 - 2007. Critical Access Hospitals and small rural hospitals will divide the money.

The SHIP Grant Program was first authorized by the Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 to help small rural hospitals meet the costs of implementing data systems required under the Medicare Prospective Payment System. It was expanded in 2002 to help small rural hospitals comply with provisions of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), reduce medical errors and support quality improvement.

Eligible Oregon hospitals applied for the grants through the Oregon Office of Rural Health. The grant money will be dispersed through the Office of Rural Health, each will receive approximately $8,500. Hospitals are expected to use the funds to purchase technical assistance, services, training and information technology.

Oregon hospitals receiving the SHIP grants include:

Ashland Community Hospital
Blue Mountain Hospital
Columbia Memorial Hospital
Coquille Valley Hospital
Cottage Grove Community Hospital
Curry General Hospital
Good Shepherd Health Care System
Grande Ronde Hospital
Harney District Hospital
Holy Rosary Medical Center
Lake District Hospital
Lower Umpqua Hospital
Mid-Columbia Medical Center
Mountain View Hospital District
Peace Harbor Hospital
Pioneer Memorial Hospital/Heppner
Pioneer Memorial Hospital/Prineville
Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital
Providence Newberg Hospital
Providence Seaside Hospital
Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital
Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital
Santiam Memorial Hospital
Silverton Hospital