SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Community Health Center (SCHC) will use a federal grant of more than $247,000 to expand telehealth services. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) awarded the funding, the office of U.S. Representative John Katko (R–Camillus) said in a July 7 news release. SCHC is a federally qualified health center that serves more than […]
SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Community Health Center (SCHC) will use a federal grant of more than $247,000 to expand telehealth services.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) awarded the funding, the office of U.S. Representative John Katko (R–Camillus) said in a July 7 news release.
SCHC is a federally qualified health center that serves more than 34,000 patients each year in Onondaga County.
The funding is available through the FCC’s COVID-19 telehealth program, which provides direct assistance to eligible health-care providers to fund telehealth-infrastructure needs, including telecommunications services, information services, and telemedicine devices.
SCHC will use this funding to purchase tablets and develop a telehealth platform that will enable patients to remotely attend primary-care visits and receive treatment for mental-health disorders.
“In keeping with our mission to provide quality health care to all individuals, Syracuse Community Health Center has met the challenge head on to address the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mark Hall, president and CEO of SCHC, said in a release. “As the primary testing site for Onondaga County, our staff and volunteers have tirelessly worked to perform over 25,000 tests for COVID-19 while continuing to care for our existing patients. We are appreciative of the efforts and support of legislators like Congressman Katko to obtain additional funding for COVID-19 telehealth program to fulfill our mission.”
“During this crisis, SCHC has played a critical role in our local response effort, serving as the primary location for COVID-19 testing in Onondaga County, while continuing to provide much-needed treatment and care for Central New Yorkers,” Katko said. “With these crucial new funds, this organization will be able to expand telehealth offerings, allowing patients to access primary care and mental health services safely from their homes.”
Since this program was authorized by the federal CARES Act, medical facilities in Central New York have received nearly $2 million in funds to expand telehealth services, Katko’s office said. CARES Act is short for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.