Tonko Heralds Telehealth Funding for Ellis Hospital

Press Release

Congressman Paul D. Tonko announced today that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has awarded Ellis Medicine in Schenectady funding totaling $131,261 intended for remote diagnosis, monitoring and other telehealth equipment to treat patients with COVID-19 infection. In working to secure the funding, Rep. Tonko sent a letter of support to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai on behalf of Ellis Medicine requesting consideration of their application for this funding.

"This crisis has highlighted telemedicine as an invaluable resource, allowing patients to access needed care and treatment quickly, safely and effectively," Congressman Tonko noted. "Despite the necessity and urgency of these tools, many across our Capital Region and nation continue to face enduring difficulties accessing broadband internet service. I am grateful that the FCC is recognizing the needs of Upstate New Yorkers with this funding, which will help our local health care providers deliver the telehealth services their patients need to stay safe and well. Congratulations to Ellis Medicine for earning this well-deserved award that will help them better serve their patients and our communities for the duration of this pandemic and beyond."

"This funding will have a direct and very real impact on making healthcare more accessible to the people of upstate New York," added Avinash Bachwani, MD, Vice President, Chief Medical Information Officer & Chief Physician Executive at Ellis Medicine. "COVID-19 accelerated the need for a robust telemedicine platform as patients in quarantine require a safe way to access care from their homes, which ultimately limits the spread of the virus. Going forward, we know that patients can't always get to the office; this award will allow us to take a big step forward to reaching them when they can't reach us in person. This is a big win for the health of our community and we thank Congressman Tonko for his leadership and support."

Rep. Tonko has long fought for improved broadband access across New York State and the nation. In May, he sent a letter to Chairman Pai detailing the agency's systemic failure to support New York residents without broadband internet access. The letter contained testimonial from parents, teachers, students and business owners across the Capital Region struggling without access.

Tonko also joined in introducing the House Democratic Plan to Connect All Americans to Affordable Broadband Internet for the Coronavirus stimulus response, an updated version of the broadband provisions of House Democrats' Moving America Forward Framework.

This award to Ellis Medicine is part of the eighth round of funding provided through the FCC's COVID-19 Telehealth Program. The program, authorized by the CARES Act, has approved funding for 238 health care providers in 41 states as well as Washington, D.C. for a total of nearly $85 million in funding.

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