October 29, 2021

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $8 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR TELEHEALTH SERVICES

Today, U.S. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $8,619,219 in federal funding to implement telehealth services in hospitals and health care systems throughout New York State. The funding was allocated through the Federal Communications Commission’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program and will be used to implement web-based telehealth platforms, purchase remote-monitoring equipment and improve internet connectivity in order to minimize unnecessary trips to overcrowded hospitals and emergency rooms.

“As we continue to fight and recover from the impacts of COVID-19, it’s imperative that New York hospitals and health centers have all the tools necessary to keep up the fight against the virus,” said Senator Schumer. “Telehealth services are essential in protecting the safety of New York’s front-line workers and increasing the accessibility of vital medical services. I will continue to fight to make sure that hospitals and health centers have the funding they need to keep healthcare providers and patients safe and healthy.”

“COVID-19 continues to strain hospitals and health care providers throughout New York State,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This investment in telehealth will allow patients to stay connected with their doctors without risking COVID exposure from an in-person visit. I will continue fighting to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to quality care throughout the pandemic and beyond.”

A full list of funding recipients can be found below:

Recipient	Amount	County	Purpose
Community Health Center of Richmond	$335,995	Richmond	Software and video equipment to offer high quality, synchronous video treatment to patients
Evergreen Health	$160,806	Erie	Purchase connected devices, including scales and blood pressure monitors, to increase access to telehealth for low-income patients
Kaleida Health	$968,131	Erie	Purchase devices, including telemedicine carts, tablets, and laptops, to support specialty, mental health, and primary care provider consultations via video calls
La Casa de Salud	$419,875	Bronx	Purchase of telehealth devices and software that will aid in monitoring the progression of home-quarantined COVID-19 patients
Montefiore St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital	$749,385	Orange	Purchase of smart TVs, tablets, cameras, and other devices that will allow health care workers to communicate virtually with patients and co-workers
Mohawk Valley Health System	$697,382	Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison	Purchase tablets, video software licenses, and upgrade internet connectivity and telecommunications services to expand telehealth capabilities
Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center	$761,314	Westchester	Provide remote patient monitoring services to its patients, including a telehealth first-aid kit with connected blood pressure monitors, connect glucometers, and VoIP devices
Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home	$283,254	Fulton	Network upgrades to allow low-income and elderly patients to continue medical appointments remotely while reducing potential exposure to COVID-19
Saint Joseph's Hospital	$927,213	Westchester	Implement an integrated web-based telehealth platform to provide remote patient medical and behavioral health services and to expand the hospital’s geographic reach
St. Barnabas Hospital	$998,624	Bronx	Enhance internet connectivity and purchase devices and software that will support remote patient care for those who tested positive for COVID-19 and patients with high risk health conditions
St. John's Episcopal Hospital	$372,744	Queens	Establish a telehealth program, which will allow medical and behavioral health providers to serve low-income and underserved patients
Union Community Health Center	$999,075	Bronx	Remote patient monitoring platforms, software, and devices that relay patient clinical data to providers in real time, enabling clinicians to troubleshoot, adjust medications, and closely monitor chronic health conditions
University Hospital of Brooklyn	$945,421	Kings	Acquire and implement a virtual health platform to allow for tele-triaging of patients, virtual rounding by clinicians, and rapid discharge

###