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U.S. Rep. Latham: Announces Kossuth County health care funding
10/23/2008

Latham Announces Kossuth County Health Care Funding

Washington, D.C.--Iowa Congressman Tom Latham has announced federal funding for the Kossuth Regional Health Center. The grant, in the amount of $134,382, will help the center implement a new electronic medical record system. The funds for the new system are being administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development program, and are considered a Distance Learning Telemedicine Grant.

"Electronic Medical Records are the future of health care," said Congressman Latham. "These types of records can be more secure than paper records and can easily be transferred from one authorized hospital to another during a health care crisis. These funds will go a long way toward helping the Kossuth Regional Medical Center implement this program."

According to the USDA, "Rural development funds will be used to implement a comprehensive, hospital based, Electronic Medical Records filing system using high-speed telecommunications lines. They will collaborate with Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, and six other regional hospitals that are members of the Mercy Health Network-North Iowa, and Trinity Health to implement a standard integrated system that will enhance the accessibility, quality, safety and efficiency of medical services."

"The mission of USDA Rural Development is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents," said the USDA. "Rural Development has invested nearly $91 billion since 2001 for equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. More than 1.7 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at local USDA Rural Development offices or by visiting USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov."


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