Although innovations in storage technology are not as glamorous as the introduction of a new diagnostic imaging modality, digital archives form the backbone of healthcare information and image systems.

Health IT provider Aspyra has appointed John Mutch as chairman of theboard of directors, according to the Calabasas, Calif.-based company.

When the Senate returns from summer recess next week, it will face theOffice of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONCHIT) spendingbill. The House already passed its version of the Health and HumanServices (HHS) Department appropriations bill on July 11, but the twohouses of Congress will most likely disagree on spending limits.

In fall 2006, the American Hospital Association (AHA) conducted asurvey to gauge the extent of health IT and better understandhindrances to adoption. Results of that survey indicate thatPennsylvania-based hospitals lead the United States in health ITadoption.

British healthcare software development firm iSoft Group reported thatit would switch its recommendation to a revised takeover bid byAustralia's IBA Health from an offer it previously recommended byGermany's CompuGroup.

Ophthalmic Imaging Systems (OIS), a Sacramento, Calif.-based digitalimaging firm, has appointed Jonathan Phillips and William Greer asindependent members of its board of directors. Phillips and Greerreplace Michael Benoff and Merle Symes on the board, effectiveimmediately.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) administratorElizabeth Duke announced $61 million in health center grants tohelp half a million people in the United States obtain access tocomprehensive primary and preventive healthcare services and $31.4 million in grants to help centers adopt EHR andother health information technology.

Advanced visualization application developer Viatronix has signed anexclusive distribution deal for its products with On The GoTechnologies Group (OTG) of Concord, Ontario.