Trump Administration Invests $985,000 in Rural Health Care in Upper Midwest Distance Learning

Targeted News Service (Press Releases)

LINCOLN, Nebraska, Oct. 8 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development - Nebraska office issued the following news release on Oct. 7:

The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $985,399 to provide telemedicine software and equipment to ensure equitable health care access at rural, sparsely staffed medical facilities in a seven-state (IA, KS, MN, MT, ND, NE, and WY), 66 county area in the Upper Midwest through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program.

"The DLT Program is of great benefit to rural residents, medical physicians and facilities as it brings services to all at the local level," said State Director Karl Elmshaeuser, USDA Rural Development. "I congratulate Avera Health for being awarded the funding announced today as it will have a large medical impact to the Upper Midwest." Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural America in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.

Background: This DLT project will provide for interactive video and computer equipment that will be used for telehealth consultations with specialty care providers.

Avera Health is an integrated health system based in Sioux Falls, SD that provides top-quality health services. Avera serves a population of nearly one million throughout a geographical footprint of 72,000 square miles and 86 counties in the Upper Midwest. They offer a wide range of specialists throughout their innovative Avera eCARE telemedicine services available at more than 150 Avera clinics and doctors' offices across the region.

Avera serves South Dakota and surrounding areas of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming through six regional centers in Mitchell, Neb., Aberdeen, Pierre, Sioux Falls and Yankton, SD, and Marshall, MN. Avera serves through 35 hospitals, 215 primary and specialty care clinics, 40 senior living facilities in addition to home care and hospice, sports and wellness facilities, home medical equipment outlets and more.