The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced telehealth funding for Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center and Benson Hospital and distance learning funding for Cochise Technology District
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema applauded over $1.2 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development funding for telehealth and distance learning projects in Arizona.
“Today’s funding helps ensure Arizonans can continue to access online health services and distance learning, keeping Arizona families healthy and safe during the coronavirus pandemic,” said Sinema.
The USDA awarded Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center $744,452 in Rural Development funds to help develop telehealth services for Globe, Kearny, Superior, Young, and Tonto Basin. The USDA also awarded Benson Hospital $377,494 in Rural Development funds to help launch telehealth services in Cochise, Graham, and Greenlee counties.
Additionally, the USDA awarded Cochise Technology District $155,407 in Rural Development funds to help fund the Cochise Technology District Mental and Social Health Distance Learning Project for rural Cochise County and eastern Santa Cruz County Schools. The project will provide students with the technology to access college-level mental and social health courses.
Sinema has been a champion for expanding access to broadband connectivity across Arizona. During the coronavirus pandemic, Sinema urged the administration to disburse unspent COVID-19 relief funds to boost rural broadband access in Arizona. Sinema is also a cosponsor of the bipartisan ACCESS BROADBAND Act—legislation that streamlines the broadband application process for Arizonans, expanding access to broadband services for rural and tribal communities.