Title
Mental Health Director recommending ratification of his signature on a Letter of Agency to the California Telehealth Network approving participation in the California Telehealth Network's Rural Health Care Pilot Program.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve.
FUNDING: University of California Grant/Federal Communications Commission.
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY:
Total Estimated Cost $0
Funding
Budgeted $0
New Funding $
Savings $
Other $
Total Funding Available $0
Change To Net County Cost $0
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: There is no Fiscal Impact and no Change to Net County Cost.
Background: On November 20, 2007 the University of California received a three-year, $22 million grant award from the Federal Communications Commission for assistance in developing a new California Telehealth Network (CTN). This network will include the communication highway and off-ramps to all of the providers’ sites. The grant will fund 85% of the creation of the CTN that will improve access to rural and underserved areas. The University of California was able to secure $35 million of support in addition to the $22 million award that will allow counties to participate at no cost.
The CTN is expected to connect more than 300 rural sites with each other and with a network of health centers including academic medical centers and health providers statewide. The network will provide state-of-the art technology and security. In addition, the CTN will be developed as a resource for emergency services and disaster preparedness and link California providers to a nationwide healthcare network.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote that, “The accelerated deployment of broadband telecommunication technologies in California, specifically for use in telemedicine, is one of the top priorities of my administration. The FCC Pilot Program will complement and add great value to our State's Health Information Technolog...
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