Did you have a chance to check out the latest healthcare IT news stories around the Web? We’ve captured the top industry news stories from this week that you won’t want to miss.

HHS Invests Close to $1 Billion in Healthcare Innovation 

EHR Intelligence reports that the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) is investing close to $1 billion to develop and test healthcare innovation models. The two programs include the Health Innovation Awards and the State Innovation Models initiative. 

Heart Failure Severity Correlated With Diabetes Risk 

According to Cardiology Today, researchers have found that an increased in severity of heart failure is associated with an increased risk for the development of diabetes. However, the study also found that use of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors may reduce the risk of diabetes. 

Update: CMS, ONC Ease EHR Certification Requirements For MU 

Government Health IT reports that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT jointly circulated a proposed rule to "change the meaningful use timeline and the definition of certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT). It would also change the requirements for reporting clinical quality measurements for 2014." 

Healthcare Data Grows From Big to Great 

Healthcare IT News makes the argument that healthcare data is both getter bigger and smarter, and will become the great differentiator. Healthcare analytics has expanded from business intelligence and financial management to include clinical care insights.