Senator Stabenow Applauds Initiative to Expand Quality Health Care in Mid-Michigan

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced support for MidMichigan Health to help connect people in rural areas with quality health care. This $494,900 grant will benefit eight counties in Mid-Michigan. The funding, which comes from the USDA's Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant program, was authorized by Senator Stabenow's 2014 Farm Bill.

"Families in Mid-Michigan often don't have access to the health care services they need in rural communities," said Senator Stabenow. "With telehealth, patients are able to get important checkups and medical care even though the doctor is hundreds of miles away, thanks to state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Today's announcement will help make sure patients have access to specialists no matter what their zip code is."

The support will help MidMichigan Health purchase telemedicine equipment that will be used in Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, Ogemaw, Roscommon and Huron Counties. Connecting clinics and hospitals through telemedicine helps make sure patients get the care they need while reducing the cost of travel and lost wages. Today's announcement is part of a $23.5 million investment in 75 projects across the country.

Senator Stabenow is Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, which has jurisdiction over the USDA and its Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant program.