NH Delegation Announces $800,000 in Federal Grant Funding for New Hampshire Telehealth Program from December COVID Relief Legislation

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representative Annie Kuster (NH-02) announced that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) awarded $801,768 in federal grant funding to Harbor Care Health and Wellness Center in Nashua to help strengthen the telehealth services it provides amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will help the center obtain computers and telecommunications devices, as well as make improvements to its network and security, to provide enhanced telehealth services to patients, including those who identify as experiencing homelessness. The funding was secured as part of Senator Hassan's work to invest in telehealth programs in the end of year COVID-19 relief bill.

"Telehealth has become a critical tool in expanding access to health care in remote and hard-to-reach areas amid the pandemic. That's why I'm so pleased to welcome funding from the FCC to support health care providers at Harbor Health Care and Wellness Center in Nashua," said Senator Shaheen. "This funding will subsidize the cost of computers and telehealth equipment for this center, which caters to at-risk communities like people experiencing homelessness. Health care is a right, not a privilege. Boosting telehealth services will help increase affordable care to those who need it most. The time to invest in building out telehealth networks is now."

"Telehealth has made an incredible difference in the lives of Granite Staters, increasing high-quality health care access while protecting patients from COVID-19," said Senator Hassan. "Last year, I successfully worked to include significant resources to strengthen telehealth programs so that more Granite Staters can get the health care that they need. We know our health centers have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I'm pleased to see this funding support Nashua's Harbor Health Care and Wellness Center as they continue to serve patients and meet their health care needs."

"Telehealth services have been a lifeline for Granite Staters during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we have the opportunity to make a real difference for patients long after this public health crisis by expanding virtual care options," said Representative Kuster. "These federal funds heading to Harbor Care Health and Wellness Center in Nashua will support ongoing efforts to serve our communities through telehealth by upgrading technology and expanding network capability. I will continue working to ensure health services are available and accessible to those who need them in New Hampshire."

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