BOSTON (AP) — The federal government has approved $628 million to support a Massachusetts plan for improving care and lowering costs at seven hospitals that treat many of the state’s poorest residents.

Gov. Deval Patrick and congressional leaders said in a statement Tuesday that the funding will be used to develop integrated care programs, alternative payment methods and speed the transition to electronic medical records.

The so-called “safety net” hospitals are Boston Medical Center, Cambridge Health Alliance, Holyoke Medical Center, Lawrence General Hospital, Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital and Steward Carney Hospital in Boston. All seven treat a high proportion of Medicaid and other low-income patients.

The funding stems from a three-year, $26.7 billion Medicaid waiver deal the state struck with the Obama administration in December.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.