U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $985,399 to provide telemedicine software and equipment to ensure equitable health care access at rural, sparsely staffed medical facilities in a seven-state (IA, KS, MN, MT, ND, NE, and WY), 66 county area in the Upper Midwest through the Emergency Telemedicine Project.
“Telemedicine provides rural residents with easier access to more medical resources,” Hinrichsen said. “This project enhances the focus on direct patient care delivered via telemedicine through eEmergency. Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural America in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know when rural America prospers, all of America prospers.”
Background:
The Emergency Telemedicine Project brings interactive video and computer equipment to telehealth consultations with specialty care providers.
Avera Health is an integrated health system based in Sioux Falls, SD that provides top-quality health services. Avera serves a population of nearly one million throughout a geographical footprint of 72,000 square miles and 86 counties in the Upper Midwest. They offer a wide range of specialists throughout their innovative Avera eCARE telemedicine services available at more than 150 Avera clinics and doctors’ offices across the region.
Avera’s systems serve the following 16 Kansas counties:
Cheyenne McPherson Phillips Wichita
Decatur Nemaha Rawlins
Gove Ness Russell
Jackson Norton Sheridan
Lincoln Pawnee Trego
Today’s announcement is in conjunction with a larger announcement made by USDA, where it is investing $72 million in 40 states through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program These investments will benefit more than 12 million rural residents.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ks or call (785) 271-2700.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
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