11.20.14

Hoeven Announces New Support for Telemedicine, Commemorates Rural Health Care Day

Senator Cosponsors Resolution Honoring Rural Hospitals and Health Care Professionals, Announces Funding for Telemedicine Services

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement to mark National Rural Health Day, Thursday, November 20. Hoeven cosponsored a resolution introduced by Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) that recognizes the importance of hospitals, health care providers and quality health care services for America’s rural communities:

“Nearly half of all North Dakotans live in rural communities, and Rural Health Day offers all of us an opportunity to recognize and thank them for remarkable work they do to keep families and individuals healthy. Thousands of our residents live on farms and ranches. They help to feed the nation and the world, and they are able to do so because of the commitment and dedication of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals who choose to live and practice in rural communities. Today, we celebrate and express our appreciation for the energy, community spirit and resourcefulness of those who are working to meet those challenges with professionalism and compassion.”

In addition, Hoeven announced new funding for telemedicine services:

  • Altru Health System Telemedicine received a $196,305 grant to provide healthcare for remote, rural patients in a 17-county region.
  • North Dakota, together with East Central Ohio Educational Service Center Distance Learning will receive a total of $437,748 to educate students, and provide job training, training for emergency responders, and continuing adult education through 14 remote rural sites.
  • In addition, Essentia Health Telemedicine has been awarded more than $213,000 to expand its existing telemedicine network in North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The expansion is expected to benefit more than 300,000 people.

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program is specifically designed to assist rural communities in acquiring distance learning and telemedical technologies so that local teachers and medical service providers who serve rural residents can establish interactive video conferencing links to teachers, medical professionals, and other needed expertise located at distances too far to access otherwise.

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