The state is issuing $150,000 grants to community health providers around the state to purchase telehealth and remote monitoring technology to help underserved communities access care.
New York is investing $3 million in a program aimed at helping community health providers purchase new telehealth technology to expand access to care in underserved communities.
Governor Kathy Hochul said the program will spurt public-private support for technology platforms that enable more residents to access virtual care services, particularly in areas where access is difficult due to geographic or economic barriers.
“Every New Yorker should have access to high-quality health care no matter where they live,” she said in a press release. “Telehealth is an important tool that brings healthcare to underserved communities and saves New Yorkers both time and money. Through these investments, we are working to make sure that everyone has access to high-quality health care and can see their doctor.”
The grants are divided into $150,000 allotments and will be distributed to each of the state’s 10 regions in 2022. They’ll be used to help community health providers purchase technology – including audio-visual telemedicine platforms and remote monitoring devices – for use in telehealth stations located in public locations such as libraries, pharmacies and homeless shelters.
Telehealth use has skyrocketed during the pandemic, as healthcare organizations sought to reduce traffic at hospitals and clinics and shift more in-person services onto virtual platforms. The effort is being fueled by federal and state programs aimed at helping providers purchase the necessary technology and broadband connectivity.
New York is one of several states actively supporting telehealth expansion. Along with the grants for technology purchases, the state has updated its telehealth laws to, among other things, reduce barriers that prevent providers from either using telehealth or being reimbursed for it.
“Telehealth is a critical component to the future of healthcare in New York State,” Kristin Proud, Acting Deputy Commissioner for the state’s Department of Health, said in the press release. “By expanding access to telehealth, we are removing barriers that will help expand the care and treatment New Yorkers need and deserve in a timely manner. These investments will also provide high quality and reliable care to historically underserved communities, increasing equity and helping to close the gaps in healthcare.”
Eric Wicklund is the associate content manager and senior editor for Innovation at HealthLeaders.