HHS awards $20 million to increase telehealth access

The U.S. Division of Health and Human Companies, via the Health Assets and Companies Administration, has awarded $20 million to improve telehealth entry and infrastructure for suppliers and people to assist reduce and respond to COVID-19.

The funds will assist telehealth suppliers with cross-condition licensure to improve entry to health care in the course of the pandemic.

WHY THIS Issues

The use of telehealth has risen in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic as patients and suppliers follow social distancing and the Trump Administration has allowed better overall flexibility for its use. 

The funds will improve capability and entry to telehealth and distant-treatment services for suppliers, expecting gals, youngsters, adolescents and people.

HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau awarded a full of $fifteen million to 4 recipients. They are: The American Academy of Pediatrics – Pediatric Treatment in Illinois, which received $six million the Affiliation of Maternal and Child Health Courses – General public Health Techniques in Washington, D.C., which received $four million Spouse and children Voices, Inc. – Spouse and children Engagement for Youngsters with Particular Health Treatment Requirements in New Mexico, which received $one million and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill – Maternal Health Treatment, North Carolina, which received $four million.

HRSA’s Federal Place of work of Rural Health Coverage awarded a full of $five million to two recipients to work with expert and condition licensing boards and countrywide compacts to establish a streamlined system for telehealth clinicians to acquire multi-condition licensure.

The Affiliation of State and Provincial Psychology Boards in Georgia and the Federation of State Professional medical Boards of the United States in Texas each received $two.five million.

ON THE Record

“Our attempts now decrease stress on clinicians and improve the speed at which clinical websites will be in a position to present supplemental telehealth services,” stated HRSA Administrator Tom Engels. “The focused work of these plan recipients will assist hold our nation’s people wholesome and solid.”

“This new funding will assist increase telehealth infrastructure that is presently getting employed in the course of the pandemic to present important treatment, specifically to the most vulnerable, which includes expecting gals and youngsters with special health care desires,” stated HHS Secretary Alex Azar.

Twitter: @SusanJMorse
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