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Amata gives details on Telehealth’s role in hospital planning

Amata at stand up desk
Congress funds half million in local services
Source: Media release from Cong. Uifaatali Amata's office

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata said the growing use of Telehealth will be a necessary part of the planning to come for a new hospital, and its role in how future health care is delivered, as she highlighted over $521,000 in newly announced Telehealth funding from Congress through the FCC.

These federal funds were initiated by the historic bipartisan CARES Act and its $200 million nationwide for telehealth as passed in early 2020, with these grants part of the second wave of $250 million appropriations nationwide in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. This bill was passed by a bipartisan majority of 359-53, December 21, 2020, as the 116th Congress was wrapping up business. These congressional actions allowed for these local grants as announced late last week by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and published in Samoa News.

“As plans begin toward a new hospital, the role of Telehealth and the knowledge that Telehealth will continue to expand, should be a thorough part of that planning from the beginning, so we are proactive and forward thinking with the hospital that could serve our people for another half century or more,” said Congresswoman Amata. “I appreciate these helpful grants and the recognition of these needs from Congress and the FCC. Congratulations to the Health Department, LBJ and the Clinic, as I know local effort goes into not only qualifying for grants but then implementing grants for better health care. Thank you especially to Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga and Lt. Governor Talauega E.V. Ale for their leadership, effort and commitment towards improving our hospital and other critical healthcare infrastructure.”

As announced by the FCC through the COVID-19 Telehealth Program:

LBJ Tropical Medical Center in Pago Pago was awarded $334,519 for telehealth equipment to facilitate consultations and remote ultrasound sessions with OB/GYN specialists as well as follow-up visits with patients unable to visit in-person due to COVID-19.

Tafuna Family Health Center in Tafuna was awarded $187,297 for telehealth equipment to provide contactless primary, dental, women's health, pharmacy, and pediatric care.