USDA funds rural telemedicine efforts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $23.4 million in 75 projects across 31 states and the Western Pacific to expand distance learning and telemedicine in rural areas.
“Rural communities often lack access to specialized medical care or advanced educational opportunities necessary for stronger rural economies," USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a release. “These grants will help increase access to healthcare and many other essential services.”
The grants are being provided through USDA Rural Development's Distance Learning and Telemedicine program and can be used to purchase equipment to provide educational and telemedicine services to rural communities.
One recipient, the North Slope Borough (Alaska), is receiving a $420,027 grant to purchase video equipment to link six Native Alaskan clinics, four end-user sites and Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital. The project will increase access to emergency medical care, examinations and behavioral health and specialized services.
Another recipient, the Baptist Healthcare System in Corbin, Ky., will receive a $182,566 grant to install teleconferencing and telehealth equipment for five facilities in medically underserved areas in rural southeastern Kentucky and east Tennessee.
Editor
Editor Beth earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in health communication. She has worked in hospital, academic and publishing settings over the past 20 years. Beth joined TriMed in 2005, as editor of CMIO and Clinical Innovation + Technology. When not covering all things related to health IT, she spends time with her husband and three children.