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| Rio Rancho Journal: Medical Funds Sought |
September 13, 2007 |
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By Amanda Stevens
Journal Staff Writer
Congresswoman Heather Wilson said Wednesday she is making progress toward securing $200,000 in federal funds for a telemedicine project to improve health care access in rural Sandoval County.
The project targets veterans with post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
Wilson, R-N.M., participated in a round-table discussion at the Sandoval County Health Commons to learn more about the county's telemedicine efforts.
Other participants included Sandoval County Manager Debbie Hays, county Community Services director Peggy Folk Cote and Dr. Dale Alverson, University of New Mexico medical director for the Center of Telehealth.
The federal funding would be used for expanding access to medical and psychiatric health services through telemedicine systems.
Telemedicine is the diagnosis and treatment of patients in remote areas using broadband technology.
That means patients and doctors can discuss health issues without having to physically be in the same room.
"This (project) is extremely important because of the rurality of Sandoval County," Hays said. "The distances in New Mexico in general are prohibiting many people on fixed incomes, but in particular people who are suffering from some of these disorders, (from getting health care).
"They are not going to make it to Albuquerque for the help that they need ... so we truly do believe that this is an opportunity to provide the kind of access that (these people deserve)."
Presbyterian Medical Services received about $570,000 from the state Legislature last year "to do a demonstration project in Sandoval County to start providing services for returning veterans and their families," Folk Cote said.
The project will launch Oct. 1, Hays said.
"Telemedicine projects like Sandoval County's help fulfill a need in rural communities with unmet health needs and I'm particularly pleased this project focuses on the needs of returning soldiers," Wilson said in a news release. "In a large rural state like New Mexico, we can be a model for the nation. I applaud Sandoval County's aggressive efforts to improve health care." |
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