Rep. Cartwright Announces $421,000 in Federal Funds from New COVID-19 Telehealth Program Awards to Wayne Memorial Health Centers

Statement

Honesdale, PA -- U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) today announced Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers will receive $421,833 through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help offer telehealth and connected care services to patients at their homes or mobile locations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers in Honesdale will use funding to purchase cameras and headphones to better communicate with patients, and ultrasound machines to provide patients obstetrical tests, all while supporting virtual communication for telehealth visits.

"The demand for telehealth services has skyrocketed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic," Cartwright said. "Healthcare providers' ability to administer telehealth services helps lower the barriers to accessing affordable healthcare for vulnerable seniors, patients living in rural and underserved communities, and working families across Northeastern Pennsylvania. I commend Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers, and I am glad to see this funding benefit patients and providers in our district."

The FCC's COVID-19 Telehealth Program supports the efforts of health care providers to continue serving their patients by providing reimbursement for telecommunications services, information services, and connected devices necessary to enable telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wayne Memorial's award comes from Round 2 of the program, funded at $249.95 million from the December 2020 government funding and coronavirus relief bill. It builds on the $200 million program established as part of the CARES Act.

Source