Indiana University Health Inc. receives funds to improve access to telemedicine

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Indiana Rural Development Acting State Director Curtis Johnson announced that USDA is investing $50 million investment in 105 rural distance learning and telemedicine projects in 37 states and Puerto Rico to help 7.6 Million people in rural areas.

“This investment will help rural residents receive the same health care as their urban counterparts while saving time and money in travel to visit specialty clinics,” Johnson said. “USDA is proud to be part of this important project to increase the quality of life for Indiana’s rural residents.”

Indiana University Health Inc. will use a $847,000 grant to purchase and install telemedicine equipment at eight Indiana University Health rural critical access hospitals. The telehealth equipment will expand access to around the clock behavioral health services and include peer recovery coaching and psychiatric assessments virtually to the rural facilities that will be participating. This project will enhance care in 217 additional rooms system-wide for approximately 56,000 patients annually and will help create more timely, co-located, high-quality behavioral health treatment for residents.

This award is being funded through USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) program. This program helps fund distance learning and telemedicine services in rural areas to increase access to education, training and health care resources that are otherwise limited or unavailable. 

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas.

Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/in or calling 317-290-3100. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.