U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Nov. 20 that it will award $42.5 million in grant funding for more than 100 telemedicine and distance learning projects across the country.
Organizations receiving the funds span 37 states and two U.S. territories. The USDA-backed investments will impact around 5.4 million rural residents, according to the news release.
Owensboro (Ky.) Health, one of the organizations receiving a USDA grant, will receive $460,000 to install telemedicine equipment at 10 sites. With the project, the health system anticipates providing healthcare resources to an estimated 35,000 residents, including almost 2,000 patients.
"Distance learning and telemedicine make it easier for thousands of rural residents to take advantage of economic, healthcare and educational opportunities without having to travel long distances," said Donald LaVoy, deputy undersecretary for rural development at USDA, according to the news release.