Ramona Midkiff

Source: Dykema

On January 17, 2025, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) proposed new rules to make permanent some telemedicine options introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rules include creating special registrations for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine and requiring state-specific approvals to follow both federal and state laws.

These rules only apply if a patient has never had an in-person visit with their provider and is being prescribed controlled substances. Once a patient has seen a provider in person, they can receive prescriptions through telemedicine indefinitely. Telemedicine visits that don’t involve prescriptions are not affected.

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Palmetto Care Connections proudly celebrates Dr. Meera Narasimhan, a board member, for receiving the Dean’s Distinguished Career Achievement Award from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia. 

This prestigious honor recognizes her outstanding contributions to health care, including championing mental health legislation and technology-driven initiatives in South Carolina and beyond. According to the University of South Carolina’s School of Medicine, Dr. Narasimhan has been actively involved in rural health initiatives both within the state and globally, addressing health disparities through innovative technology. 

As a valued member of our board, we deeply appreciate Dr. Narasimhan’s efforts to connect rural communities with quality health care. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Narasimhan on this well-deserved recognition. 

Source: Center for Connected Health Policy; Rural Telehealth Research Center

How did relaxed telehealth policies during COVID-19 shape health equity? The Rural Telehealth Research Center’s latest brief uncovers surprising insights into telehealth’s role in access, costs, and outcomes across underserved communities.

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Source: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, Palmetto Care Connections

On December 18, 2024, the Palmetto Connect Team took a step forward in its mission to bridge the digital divide and health equity. We partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services in South Carolina for a Digital Literacy project to improve access to healthcare for a targeted Medicaid population.

Thanks to a grant, we were able to send 24 internet-capable tablets to residents in Florence and Horry counties. These tablets will allow these residents to access their healthcare providers from the comfort of their own homes.

To meet the needs of this population, Palmetto Care Connection created online modules to help this population enhance their digital skills. The modules cover topics such as device basics, email usage, internet navigation, cybersecurity, telehealth, and health literacy. After completing all their modules, participants are encouraged to use their tablets independently, helping to build confidence and deepen their engagement with digital tools.

With this grant, we expanded our Digital Inclusion outreach to over 30 counties in South Carolina. This success reflects the dedication of the Palmetto Connect Team and underscores the importance of providing equitable access to technology and education for Medicaid beneficiaries. By enhancing digital literacy, the initiative improves participants’ ability to engage with health and telehealth resources and promotes broader access to digital opportunities in their daily lives.

We are thankful for the support of the Department of Health and Human Services which allows us to provide these services. This is just one way the PCC is tackling healthcare equity in South Carolina and nationwide.

Source: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, Palmetto Care Connections

Kudos to Palmetto Care Connections Founding Board Member, Dr. James McElligott, for being honored with the 2024 Marion Woodbury Leadership Excellence Award at the Medical University of South Carolina.

According to a news release from MUSC, The Marion Woodbury Jr. Leadership Excellence Award is presented annually for meritorious service to a member of the MUSC Health leadership team. This award recognizes leaders who have served as role models for MUSC Health’s values, with a particular focus on innovations that transform MUSC Health.

Dr. McElligott oversees the activities of the MUSC’s Center for Telehealth while also co-chairing the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance. He has been a board member of PCC for nearly 15 years.

We want to congratulate Dr. McElligott, on this well-deserved recognition of his leadership and dedication to advancing telehealth innovation.

We appreciate his unwavering commitment to telehealth and health equity in South Carolina!

Source: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, Palmetto Care Connections

Jessica Samuel, a Digital Literacy Analyst with Palmetto Care Connections, recently achieved a milestone by completing SC Thrive Benefits Training. The comprehensive program equips professionals to better assist clients in navigating and applying for critical assistance programs.

The training provided detailed guidance on the do’s and don’ts when supporting clients, ensuring interactions remain both ethical and effective. Participants reviewed programs administered by agencies such as the Department of Social Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Welvista, Internal Revenue Service, and Social Security Administration.

Jessica gained experience in helping clients apply for essential services, including Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, commonly known as Food Stamps), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Welvista’s prescription assistance. A significant component of the training emphasized referring clients to partner organizations when additional help is needed.

Using the SC Thrive Hub platform, Jessica successfully navigated realistic family scenarios, completing applications and refining her skills in real-time. This accomplishment highlights her commitment to providing valuable assistance to those in need and strengthens PCC’s mission of empowering community members through digital literacy and resource access.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Spectrum joined the Town of Norway and the South Carolina Broadband Office for a holiday event on Saturday, Dec. 7 to celebrate the launch of gigabit broadband and other Spectrum services to more than 575 homes and small businesses in Norway, South Carolina. As part of the launch, Spectrum will also make available a Spectrum WiFi access point, which will be open to all users for one year.

Combined with the Capital Projects Fund (CPF) grant of $940,500, total project investment for the Main Street grant program, including $1.2 million from Spectrum, is $2.2 million.

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Source: Fierce Healthcare

As expected, the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 advanced out of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Sept. 18 in a wide-ranging markup hearing.

The legislation extends critical telehealth provisions for two years that began during the COVID-19 pandemic and were set to expire at the end of the year. Although the provisions are not permanently extended, the bill’s passage by a vote of 41-0 is still seen as a significant win for the governing body.

“While I am disappointed that we are not making these Medicare telehealth flexibilities permanent, I look forward to working with my colleagues on this committee to ensure that these vital telehealth services do no lapse,” said the bill’s sponsor Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Georgia.

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Source: TechTarget | xtelligent Virtual Healthcare

By: Anuja Vaidya, Senior Editor

UC Davis Health is using telehealth to improve postpartum visit attendance among Black people, thereby enhancing maternal health equity and closing care gaps.

Being Black and pregnant in America can be a deadly combination. With Black women being twice as likely to die during or soon after childbirth than white women, interventions to improve Black maternal outcomes are urgently needed. Some healthcare organizations are turning to virtual care tools to close the care gaps facing the Black birthing population.

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Source: Build Healthy Places Network

For work across sectors in low-income communities to improve health and wellbeing.

Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) and CEO Kathy Schwarting were recently spotlighted in the original playbook by Build Healthy Places for their incredible work connecting eligible healthcare providers to broadband infrastructure.

Through a powerful partnership with the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance (SCTA), PCC has been instrumental in expanding access to health services across South Carolina, both before and during the pandemic. Their impactful efforts were recognized with the prestigious Redefining American Healthcare Award by the Healthcare Leadership Council in February 2023.

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https://buildhealthyplaces.org/tools-resources/rural-resources/?utm_source=BHPN+Website+Newsletter+List&utm_campaign=21ea6fd3fc-