U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $2,377,992 in federal funding to provide additional telehealth services for New Yorkers affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The eleventh set of telehealth funding was administered through the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) COVID-19 Telehealth Program as allocated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES). The FCC COVID-19 Telehealth Program enables safe and swift responses to health care needs across New York State, from rural communities to urban centers.
“As New York recovers from COVID-19, it’s imperative that our hospitals and health centers have all the tools necessary to keep the virus at bay,” said Senator Schumer. “This vital funding for telehealth programs provides New Yorkers with safe medical care during our state’s recovery. I will continue fighting for funding that hospitals and health centers need to keep both healthcare providers and patients safe and healthy throughout this pandemic and beyond.”
“Telehealth services have played an integral part of New York’s response to the COVID-19 crisis by allowing health care professionals to effectively treat patients without compromising their own health,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I will continue fighting for the resources needed to expand New York’s telehealth capabilities and to support our state’s essential workers and patients during this unprecedented health crisis.”
The Flushing Clinic received $94,972 for the purchase of equipment and software licensing that will enable providers and patients to interact remotely while minimizing the need for in-person appointments.
New York City’s Hospital for Special Surgery was granted $596,045 to purchase connected devices and infrastructure upgrades to support specific needs of COVID-19 patients. New virtual visitation capabilities will allow inpatients to communicate safely with both their providers and their families.
In Brooklyn, the Maimonides Medical Center received $1,000,000 in grant funding to develop a robust central monitoring system for patient care and protection during staff-patient interactions and to control hospital patient volume.
The Northern NY Rural Behavioral Health Institute, in Saranac Lake was allocated $55,180 to purchase telemedicine carts and remote monitoring devices that will allow providers to remotely consult, monitor, and care for patients.
The Silvercrest Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Briarwood, New York was awarded $631,795 to purchase tablets, videoconferencing equipment and software to conduct remote video consultations with high-risk patients.