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Rural Broadband Connects Patients With Hard-To-Find Resources

Gov. J.B. Pritzker visited OSF HealthCare's Jump Simulation Center on Feb. 25 to discuss how broadband internet can bring telehealth to rural communities.
Dana Vollmer
/
Peoria Public Radio
Gov. J.B. Pritzker visited OSF HealthCare's Jump Simulation Center on Feb. 25 to discuss how broadband internet can bring telehealth to rural communities.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker believes the future of healthcare is digital — but reliable internet is needed to make that a reality.

Pritzker said telehealth can bring hard-to-find medical resources to rural communities.

He said large medical hubs like OSF HealthCare have already seen success providing remote support to smaller facilities.

OSF HealthCare's telehealth carts allow doctors to digitally connect with patients and other physicians remotely.
Credit Dana Vollmer
/
Dana Vollmer
OSF HealthCare's telehealth carts allow doctors to digitally connect with patients and other physicians remotely.

"OSF has totaled over 70,000 virtual clinical interactions for a program that launched only Oct. 1," He said. "That's over 6% of all clinical interactions at OSF HealthCare."

That includes digital urgent care appointments, consulting with rural patients and physicians, and monitoring at-home healthcare.

Pritzker's Connect Illinois plan aims to bring high-speed broadband internet to all corners of the state over the next four years. The goal is to improve telehealth — as well as education and economic development — in rural Illinois.

To help accomplish that goal, the state is awarding $50 million in grants to organizations with plans to bring broadband internet access to those communities. It's the first wave of matching grants released under the $420 million initiative.

Pritzker said any group — public or private — is encouraged to apply.

"Rural co-ops, municipalities, non-profits, hospitals, colleges, universities," he said. "We want to hear great ideas."

Applicants are required to provide at least 50% of non-state funding. Up to $5 million will be rewarded per project during the first round. More grant funding will be released in the coming years.

Applications are open through April 4.

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Dana Vollmer is a reporter with WGLT. Dana previously covered the state Capitol for NPR Illinois and Peoria for WCBU.