AT&T* announced a new agreement with the University of California to advance the growing practice of telehealth. As part of a three-year, $27 million contract, AT&T will provide Managed Network Services in support of this vital telehealth initiative.
The University of California is involved in establishing the California Telehealth Network (CTN). The vision of CTN is to deliver new models of care utilizing technology to address the health needs of patients in rural and urban areas of California.
CTN is the result of a statewide coalition of healthcare, technology, government, and other stakeholders, that sought funding from the Federal Communications Commission‘s Rural Health Care Pilot Program. With the goal of significantly increasing access to acute, primary and preventive health care in rural America, the FCC will provide CTN with up to $22.1 million over three years. CTN is a participant in the FCC Rural Healthcare Pilot Program which is responsible for managing the FCC funded project for the California Telehealth Network. Additional funds for the CTN initiative have been provided by collaborators including the California Emerging Technology Fund.
The CTN is building a statewide network infrastructure that will connect smaller hospitals and clinics to larger hospitals, their specialists and experts. When complete, the network will include more than 860 sites throughout the state.
“The University of California is pleased to conclude an extensive bid process and to award the contract to AT&T. This award marks a milestone in the FCC grant process, and we are excited to move to implementation of broadband to support healthcare throughout California” said Dr. Cathryn Nation, Associate Vice President of University of California and Co-Director of the California Telehealth Network.
“AT&T is eager to work with the University of California on this exciting and groundbreaking telehealth initiative,” said Ken McNeely, President, AT&T California. “We have always been about connecting people, and in this case, we’re thrilled our IP-based network will be used to help connect patients in rural and remote parts of California with the healthcare they need.”
According to the American Telemedicine Association, today, there are hundreds of networks linking thousands of medical centers in all 50 states. By using cameras, high-resolution monitors and other data-gathering tools, world-class doctors are reaching patients in rural areas who would otherwise have to travel hundreds of miles to be seen by specialists with the same expertise.
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