DES MOINES – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield recently announced that the Agency is investing $1,823,465 in three grants to provide telemedicine and distance learning services to increase access to education, training, and healthcare resources that are otherwise limited or unavailable in rural Iowa.
“Modern hospital services are essential to quality of life in rural neighborhoods, and these grants announced today enable rural patients to access medical professionals without leaving home,” said Director Greenfield. “This effort is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal that every Iowan has access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet.”
The three awards for Iowa healthcare providers came through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants program. This competitive program helps rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to each other and the world to overcome the effects of remoteness and low population density.
-Clarinda Regional Health Center in Clarinda received a $399,670 grant to equip two hub/end-user and eight end-user sites throughout Page, Montgomery, and Taylor counties in Iowa and Lancaster County in Nebraska with a telehealth platform used to increase access to quality, local, specialty care. Medical professionals at Bryan Health, Clarinda Regional Health Center, and Clarinda Mental Health Center will deliver specialized care, close to home including mental health services to eight rural locations benefitting 15,000 area residents.
–Belmond Community Hospital in Belmond received a $463,644 grant to equip five hub/end-user sites, one end-user site, and multiple non-fixed locations throughout Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, and Wright counties in north central Iowa with telehealth computer software, cyber security software and at-home patient devices for telehealth appointments. Medical professionals at Iowa Specialty Hospital will deliver mental health care to six locations benefitting 2,900 individuals.
-Wayne County Hospital in Corydon received a $960,151 grant to equip one hub site, three hub/end-user sites, and three end-user sites in Wayne County, Polk County and surrounding south central Iowa with telemedicine carts and other necessary equipment to establish an electronic Intensive Care Unit and telepharmacy program. Medical professionals at MercyOne in Des Moines and at Wayne County Hospital in Corydon will deliver specialty electronic Intensive Care Unit services and provide easier access to pharmaceutical consultations, patient counseling, drug therapy monitoring, and refill authorizations to six locations benefitting 10,289 residents.
Thanks, President Biden!
Thanks, Taxpayers