Ukiah Daily Journal

Ukiah Daily Journal Staff

Article Last Updated: 12/10/2007 08:17:00 AM PST

The Daily Journal

Ten clinics in Mendocino could benefit from $22 million in federal grant money awarded to the California Telehealth Network this week.

The money would be used to bring rural patients into the care of medical specialists urban areas via teleconferencing.

The California Telehealth Network is a coalition led by the University of California in partnership with health care providers and the Rural Health Care Association that works to bring modern health care services to rural and under served areas like Mendocino County.

The grant money will be used to promote telemedicine, a technology that will allow rural patients to have access to medical specialists in urban areas through video conferencing The technology will allow doctors to monitor patients, make diagnoses and assist in treatment remotely.

Sen. Pat Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa, and Assembly member Patty Berg, D-Eureka, are both members of the California Legislative Rural Caucus and have worked with Congress to ensure California gets it's fair share.

"This federal grant will help us to expand broadband networks for telemedicine, which will enable us to connect medical experts to clinics in some of the most remote regions of California," Berg said.

"It is critical that our state sets the standard with this new technology, which will enable us to save time, save money and, most importantly, save lives," Wiggins said.

The $22 million grant award comes on top of the $200 million allocated in Proposition 1D to build telemedicine capacity around the state.  The award will build upon existing networks and connect approximately 300 health care providers that are currently unconnected to telemedicine services.

Clinics in Mendocino County that could receive funding are; Yuki Trails in Covelo, Mendocino Coast Clinics in Fort Bragg, Redwood Coast Medical Services in Gualala, Round Valley Indian Health Center in Covelo, Consolidated Tribal Health Project in Redwood Valley, Long Valley Health Center in Laytonville, Long Valley Health Center Dental Clinic in Laytonville, Mendocino Coast Clinics in Fort Bragg, Mendocino Community Health Clinic Little Lake Clinic in Willits and Mendocino Community Health Clinic in Ukiah.