$500 million sought for health data idea in Kentucky

Kentucky Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo and state officials are set to unveil a $500 million plan that they hope will position the state as a leader in healthcare information technology. Mongiardo will announce a new collaboration among Northern Kentucky University, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Louisville to turn the state into a "national laboratory" on whether implementing such technology will cut healthcare costs and improve people's health. State officials hope to tap into the $50 billion promised for healthcare IT investments by President-elect Barack Obama for the project, Mongiardo said.