September, 2021 COVID-19 Newsletter - News From Around Our Region and Nationally
Your source for information about COVID-19 Resources in the Southwest.
SWTRC COVID-19 UPDATES
SEPTEMBER 2021
Bringing You Up To Date Regional Information
News From Around Our Region and Nationally
Telemedicine & Telehealth has taken center stage over the past 18 months. Below are some selected articles.
NM
New Mexico State-Tribal Collaboration Act Agency Report 2021
August 2021
Summarizes collaboration between New Mexico state agencies and tribal nations in New Mexico regarding current public health priorities, including COVID-19, substance use disorder, and healthy food access. Identifies resources available for American Indians from each New Mexico department and activities and funding for the fiscal year 2021, covering community health workers, cancer, diabetes, suicide prevention, and more. Source: New Mexico Department of Health
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News Details: USDA Invests $167 Million in High-Speed Broadband in 12 States - Rural Health Information Hub
August 11, 2021
Announces investment in rural broadband infrastructure in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia as part of the ReConnect Program. Highlights examples of grantees, their service areas, and how they will develop fiber-to-the-premises networks to service schools, healthcare facilities, households, businesses, and farms. Source: US Department of Agriculture
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Over $19 Million to Expand Telehealth Nationwide and Improve Health in Rural, Other Underserved Communities
August 18, 2021
Announces $19 million in funding through the Heath Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support telehealth programs and expand access to healthcare for rural America. Describes 4 grant recipient groups: the Telehealth Technology-Enabled Learning Program (TTELP), Telehealth Resource Centers (TRCs), the Evidence-Based Direct to Consumer Telehealth Network Program (EB TNP), and the Telehealth Centers of Excellence (COE) program. Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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FCC Announces Awards for Round 2 of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program August 26, 2021
FCC Announces New Covid-19 Telehealth Program Awards Totaling Nearly $42 Million To Health Care Providers In Every State And Territory Source: Federal Communications Commission. Arizona
Tuba City Regional Health Care in Tuba City, Arizona was awarded $266,946 to purchase internet service, a mobile telehealth clinic, telemedicine carts, and cell phones to bring health care to and connect patients from the Navajo Nation in remote locations – who may lack access to transportation, internet connectivity, or phone service – with primary care and specialty providers. Colorado
Peak Vista Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center operating 28 facilities in rural and urban areas in and around Colorado Springs, Colorado was awarded $999,565 for devices to provide medical and behavioral health care via telemedicine to patients who may face significant barriers to care, including lack of health insurance, transportation, or housing. Nevada
Nevada Health Centers, a Community Health Center providing health care services throughout the state, in Las Vegas, Nevada was awarded $995,087 to secure telehealth carts, peripherals, and virtual conferencing equipment, as well as provider training required to facilitate secure health care to patients in urban, rural, and frontier communities. New Mexico
Presbyterian Medical Services in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as part of a system of 51 community health centers, was awarded $357,725 to purchase software that will help to provide secure, confidential remote medical consultations, which will expand access to health care and improve the quality of health, especially for those living in rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utah
Gunnison Valley Hospital in Gunnison, Utah was awarded $275,850 for connected devices to support expanded telehealth services offered to patients in six counties the hospital serves, as well as in-hospital patients
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Telehealth Took Off During the Pandemic. Now, Battles Over State Lines and Licensing Threaten Patients’ Options
August 26, 2021
Televisits for medical care took off during the worst days of the pandemic, quickly becoming commonplace. Throughout, it’s probably seemed like it doesn’t matter what state the provider of these telehealth services is located. But that’s only because most states, along with the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, temporarily waived rules requiring licensed clinicians to hold a valid license in the state where their patient is located. Now states are rolling back many of those pandemic workarounds—meaning the ability to conduct certain virtual appointments may be nearing an end. Source: Time
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Report Identifies Keys to Telehealth Success in Academic Health Systems
August 25, 2021
In interview with Healthcare Innovation, report authors from Association of American Medical Colleges and Manatt Health Strategies discuss integration imperatives for building successful telehealth programs…” Source: Healthcare Innovation
