WASHINGTON, March 15 (UPI) -- An additional $162 million in economic stimulus funds will help push broad use of health information technology, the Health and Human Service Department said.

The awards Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced Monday were part of a $2 billion effort to achieve widespread and meaningful use of health IT and to provide use of electronic health records to every citizen by 2014, the department said in a release.

With Monday's announcement, all states and eligible territories have been awarded funds under the program, the department said.

"These critical investments will help unleash the power of health information technology to cut costs, eliminate paperwork, and help doctors deliver high-quality, coordinated care to patients," Sebelius said. "States are important partners in improving and expanding our electronic health records system. By improving the secure exchange of electronic health records between providers and hospitals within and across states, these awards mark a significant step in bringing our health system into the 21st century."

The health information exchange awards provide about $162 million to 16 states and qualified designated entities to facilitate a non-proprietary health information exchange that adheres to national standards, the department said, explaining that the exchange is critical to drive enabling care coordination and improving the quality and efficiency of health care.