News

By Molly Hulsey

About 4,500 Cherokee County homes and small businesses lacked access to internet service last year, but change is in the air — or rather, the ground.

The county and Charter Communications have launched a two-year public-private partnership in which the Upstate county will model Charter’s plans for its $5 billion broadband expansion to an estimated 1 million homes and businesses across the country.

The project will draw on the Federal Communication Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.

“Broadband is a vital resource for work, learning and personal connection,” Jessica Geremia, Spectrum’s area vice president of field operations, said in a news release. “Leveraging RDOF resources, we’re building a high-speed, high-capacity network that will bring gigabit internet to thousands of homes and small businesses in Cherokee County — an investment that will ensure families and businesses can participate fully in the digital world, now and well into the future.”

The Cherokee project, funded with more than $3 million, began Jan. 1 and is expected to connect 3,000 homes and small businesses to high-speed internet.

Click here to continue reading…

Written by:  Kathy Rhoad, PCC Director of Public Relations & Program Development

BAMBERG, SC— Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) has been awarded $782,575 through the Federal Communications Commission’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program as part of its second round of funding.

PCC serves as a leading partner and administrator for the South Carolina Rural Telehealth Initiative, a consortium of diverse health care providers that will deploy a telehealth platform and remote patient monitoring devices to enhance: 1) remote care of patients with COVID-19, 2) remote care for select chronic disease patients with high risk of mortality from acquiring COVID-19, and 3) telehealth capabilities for COVID-19 and other admitted patients to critical access hospitals.

The health care providers in the consortium operate primarily in rural, underserved communities located in the Upstate, Midlands, Pee Dee and Low Country regions of the state. Health care organizations in the SC Rural Telehealth Initiative include Williamsburg Regional Hospital, Allendale County Hospital, Lowry’s Primary Care in Chester, Clemson Health Clinic – Walhalla, Little River Medical Center, Clyburn Center for Primary Care of Rural Health Services, Inc. and the Alpha Behavioral Health Center in Chesterfield County.

The funds will cover the costs of remote monitoring devices such as connected blood pressure monitors, glucose monitors, and pulse oximeters so high-risk patients can continue receiving quality care remotely with lower risk of COVID-19 transmission. In addition, the funds will reimburse the cost of the development of a telehealth platform.

The SC Rural Telehealth Initiative will be co-led by PCC Chief Executive Officer Kathy Schwarting, MHA and Clemson Rural Health Director Ron Gimbel, Ph.D. “Patients with certain chronic disease and other conditions are at heightened risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2. Innovation in remote patient monitoring and telehealth connectivity (in the home) helps to protect vulnerable patients while promoting self-management of their chronic condition. Remote patient monitoring includes enabled medical devices that capture biomedical readings and visualize trends to help guide patients. The devices, such as weight scales, blood pressure monitors, glucose monitors, pulse oximeters, peak flow meters, and others will be integrated within a dedicated telehealth platform to provide trended data for comparison by patients, clinical staff and providers. Safety thresholds and aligned messaging to patients will help the high-risk patients isolate at home, receive care remotely, and guide them when readings are troublesome,” said Gimbel. “Within our critical access hospital partners, the devices will be used within the hospital facilities to ensure high quality care despite of nursing shortages and other challenges.”

“The SC Rural Telehealth Initiative is committed to improving access to care and health outcomes for SC residents. In addition to patients with COVID-19, our health providers will be treating high risk patients who have Type-2 diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, obesity, and substance use disorders. Many of the patients are underrepresented minorities and older adults including veterans,” said Schwarting.

According to a news release, 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. Round 2 is a $249.95 million federal initiative that builds on the $200 million program established as part of the CARES Act.

“As the impact of new variants continue to challenge our healthcare system, the FCC has worked diligently to review and approve funding commitments as part of our COVID-19 Telehealth Program,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in the news release. “As we head into 2022, the ability to treat patients and loved ones from the safety of their home is of vital importance.”

Established in 2010, PCC is a non-profit organization that provides technology, broadband, and telehealth support services to health care providers in rural and underserved areas in S.C.  PCC co-chairs the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance, along with the Medical University of South Carolina, serving as an advocate for rural providers and partnering with organizations to improve health care access and delivery for all South Carolinians. The National Cooperative of Health Networks Association named Palmetto Care Connections as the 2021 Outstanding Health Network of the Year. PCC Chief Executive Officer Kathy Schwarting received South Carolina’s 2021 Community Star award presented by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health.

               
Pictured: Riley Van Coutren                                       Pictured: Tara Stokes

Written by:  Kathy Rhoad, Director of Public Relations & Program Development

BAMBERG, SC—Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) Chief Executive Officer Kathy Schwarting
announces two new staff members: Riley Van Coutren, Technical Analyst, and Tara Stokes, Digital
Literacy Coordinator.

PCC Technical Analyst Riley Van Coutren brings a variety of organizational, computer,
communications and customer service skills to the team. Her prior experience includes serving as a
Legal Assistant at a law firm specializing in bankruptcy. Previously, she was a Broker/Dispatcher for a
worldwide shipping company.

Van Coutren is a graduate of Lexington High School and is currently working toward an
Associate of Arts and Science degree at Midlands Technical College in West Columbia.

Digital Literacy Coordinator Tara Stokes joins PCC with more than 20 years of health care
experience. A native of Bamberg, S.C., she has worked in rural health care settings throughout her
career. Her previous positions include Office Manager for an independent Obstetrics and Gynecology
practice, Medical Staff Coordinator at a regional health care system, and Medical Staff Coordinator,
Credentials Coordinator, Rehabilitation Services Assistant and Registrar for a rural hospital.

Stokes received a Medical Office Assistant degree from Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical
College.

“The addition of these two talented individuals is a testament to Palmetto Care Connections’
growth. COVID-19 has created an explosion in telehealth services and uncovered a tremendous need
for internet access and digital literacy in rural areas” said Kathy Schwarting, PCC Chief Executive
Officer. “On the broadband side of the house, PCC helps health care providers receive up to 65
percent savings on their broadband costs. Riley will be instrumental in helping even more health care
providers receive those broadband savings.”

“Tara will be primarily responsible for assisting with our Digital Literacy Program,” said
Schwarting. ““PCC recently completed Digital Literacy training for 100 seniors aged 60 and older in
rural communities in Allendale, Barnwell, Williamsburg, Clarendon and Lower Richland counties. The
pilot program has proven to be very successful, and we plan to expand the “Palmetto Connect” digital
literacy training statewide for both seniors as well as unemployed individuals in underserved areas
who need digital skills to apply for jobs and enhance daily living.”

Established in 2010, PCC is a non-profit organization that provides technology, broadband,
and telehealth support services to health care providers in rural and underserved areas in S.C. PCC
leads the S.C. health care broadband consortium which facilitates broadband connections for health
care providers throughout the state. PCC co-chairs the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance, along with
the Medical University of South Carolina, serving as an advocate for rural providers and partnering
with organizations to improve health care access and delivery for all South Carolinians.

The National Cooperative of Health Networks Association named PCC as the 2021
Outstanding Health Network of the Year. PCC CEO Kathy Schwarting recently received South
Carolina’s 2021 Community Star award presented by the National Organization of State Offices of
Rural Health.

Today, Palmetto Care Connections announced it is working to help build awareness about the Affordable Connectivity Program, a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program.  The new long-term benefit will help to lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households struggling to afford internet service.

The $14 billion Affordable Connectivity Program provides a discount of up to a $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for qualifying households on qualifying Tribal lands.  The benefit also provides up to a $100 per household discount toward a one-time purchase of a computer, laptop, or tablet if the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase through a participating broadband provider.

A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:

• Has an income that is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines;
• Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;
• Participates in one of several Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Head Start (only households meeting the relevant income qualifying standard) Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;
• Is approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision;
• Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or
• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider’s existing low-income program.

Affordable Connectivity Program enrollment opened on December 31, 2021. Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or by (1) going to ACPBenefit.org to submit an online application or print a mail-in application and (2) contacting their preferred participating broadband provider and selecting a plan.  Additional information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit is available at www.fcc.gov/ACP, or by calling 877-384-2575 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET any day of the week.

Source: WSPA Channel 7

by: Janie Bohlmann

GREENWOOD COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – WC Fiber leaders announced this week that the company is expanding a partnership with Greenwood County to bring broadband to more people.

“It’s a daily necessity now for our residents,” said James Bateman, the economic development director for Greenwood County.

Leaders said the COVID-19 pandemic shows the importance of access to internet, as many people started to learn, work, and even visit the doctor, all through their computer.

“It affects everything from education to working from the home, and also telemedicine is something we’re seeing a big spike in,” said Stephen Taylor, who does community relations and economic development for WC Fiber.

The expansion improves existing plans and will bring internet to an additional 2,400 addresses in the county.

Click here to continue reading…

Source: mHealth Intelligence

Source: The State News

The Associated Press

The state House voted unanimously Wednesday to set up a governmental body to develop a statewide plan for broadband internet funding and expansion into unserved and underserved areas of Pennsylvania. The bill, which was sent to the Senate, would set up the independent Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority. It would act as a central point to coordinate grant money in underserved areas. Pennsylvania is in line for at least $100 million in federal money to expand broadband in the state. The federal infrastructure bill also allocated about $37 billion nationally to be doled out based on financial need, including monthly subsidies for the cost of connectivity. The authority that would be set up under the House-passed bill would consist of an 11-member board and have a six-year lifespan, unless extended. Members would be chosen by the governor and legislative leaders. The bill sets minimum broadband speeds to match federal standards.

Click Here to continue reading…

Source:  Healthcare IT News

By Craig Settles

Delivering virtual care via community broadband offers big financial and quality-of-life benefits, says our contributing writer, opening avenues to both digital equity and health equity.

Telehealth and community broadband are symbiotic technologies.

Much more than mere video chats, telehealth uses intranets and the internet networks to observe, diagnose, initiate or otherwise medically intervene, administer, monitor, record, and/or report on the continuum of care people receive when ill, injured or wanting to stay well. We can save so much money and time that’s going into healthcare if we take full advantage of the telehealth and telemedicine tools. Public health, in particular, can leverage telehealth to great advantage.

Community broadband, meanwhile, refers to networks owned by towns, cities and counties, local telephone and electrical co-ops, wireless internet service providers (WISPs) and other local ISPs, and public-private partnerships often initiated by municipalities or counties.

But big companies often have high prices, suboptimal service and weak infrastructure, so communities nationwide are building their own. These networks profit the people they serve.

Telehealth united with community broadband has huge financial and quality-of-life benefits. These technologies also open avenues to digital equity and health equity among underserved communities in towns, cities and counties.

Don’t forget, though, that it’s quite difficult to have telehealth without broadband.

Strategically speaking

Let’s break down telehealth into three categories and consider as an example public libraries that decide to offer telehealth in some of their branches.

Click Here to continue reading…

Source:  mHealth Intelligence

The Telehealth Extension Act aims to solidify policies that will preserve permanent access to telehealth after the public health emergency ends.

December 10, 2021 – Members of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee have introduced a bipartisan bill that seeks to ensure permanent access to telehealth services.

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), who is the chair of the subcommittee, and subcommittee members Devin Nunes (R-CA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Mike Kelly (R-PA), and David Schweikert (R-AZ) are sponsoring the Telehealth Extension Act.

The bill has been endorsed by several notable telehealth advocates including the National Rural Health Association, the eHealth Initiative, the American Nurses Association, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

The legislation aims to lift geographic and site restrictions to allow Medicare beneficiaries to access telehealth no matter where they live. Certain policies limit telehealth access to patients living in rural areas and providers practicing in specific clinics. Waivers helped lift these restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are set to expire when the public health emergency ends.

Permanently eliminating these restrictions would make it easier for all Americans to access telehealth services regardless of their location, according to a press release issued by Doggett’s office.

The bill also incorporates recommendations from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and would extend select COVID-19 emergency telehealth waivers for two years.

The waivers permit Medicare coverage for telehealth services provided by specialty providers including speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists.

Further, the temporary extension would allow critical access hospitals to keep providing outpatient behavioral therapy via telehealth and would ensure proper reimbursement for audio-only telehealth services.

“Expanded access to telehealth, permitted by emergency waivers, has transformed healthcare delivery—helping patients connect easily and safely with their physicians in a timely manner. As the pandemic enters an unpredictable new stage and emergency waives may expire, patients and providers should not face a cliff of uncertainty,” Doggett said in the press release.

Click here to continue reading…