August 19 - Ohio RHIO Receives $11 Million for High-Speed Telemedicine Network

Completing a major milestone in his fight to bring broadband Internet service to rural Ohio, Congressman Zack Space (OH-18) recently announced that he has been able to secure an agreement to allow a new telemedicine network to provide consumer high-speed service. In November, Space announced that a group of hospitals in eastern Ohio (including Carroll, Coshocton, Holmes, and Tuscarawas counties) has been awarded $25 million to build a telemedicine network to link the local hospitals together. Once that infrastructure is complete, telecommunications companies will be able to connect residential and commercial customers to those Internet backbones.

Space recently released the final RENEW Ohio-18 report titled “Fighting for Ohio’s Economic Future,” which outlines the importance of bringing broadband technology to the region. As companies are looking for locations to build or expand, the availability of high-speed Internet is a critical factor in those decisions.

“This is a massive step to connecting our region to the rest of the world and fulfilling a goal of the RENEW Ohio-18 effort,” Space says. “From the day I entered Congress, I have been fighting to bring broadband to the district because I am absolutely convinced that the lack of access is hurting our chances for economic development. This agreement will help make that goal a reality.

“As outlined in the RENEW Ohio-18 report, access to technology has far-reaching implications on the long-term economic viability of our district. Not only will this allow our families to participate in all the iInternet has to offer, but it will increase our security through first responder communications and improve our healthcare through telemedicine,” Space adds.

The Northeast Ohio regional health information organization has been awarded $11,286,200 to connect 19 facilities in 22 counties in eastern and northeastern Ohio. Awarded through the Federal Communications Commission, the Rural Health Care Pilot Program (RHCPP) provides grants to rural health groups to expand broadband access to better serve their patients through remote acute, primary, and preventive care.

Source: Office of Congressman Zack Space