January 27, 2022

Wyden, Merkley: Mercy Foundation to Receive $375,768 Federal Telehealth Grant for Rural Schools in Roseburg

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week announced that Mercy Foundation in Roseburg will receive $375,768 from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expand telehealth services for rural schools.

“The pandemic has forced us to find different ways to deliver health care services safely and efficiently, including through broadband,” Wyden said. “When I visited Mercy Medical in Roseburg last week, they made it clear to me that quality health care should be accessible to Oregon children no matter their family’s income or zip code. I am gratified to see the FCC funding this telehealth program to make that goal a reality for children in Douglas County.”

“Many aspects of our lives have gone online during the pandemic as we worked to curb the spread of COVID-19,” Merkley said. “Many health providers have gone online as well, continuing to provide support and care for communities from all corners of Oregon through incredible telehealth programs. I am pleased to see Mercy Foundation receive this important FCC award to invest back into their telehealth program. The continuation of this program will ensure families in Douglas County will have the access they need to critical health services and help expand much-needed care within our rural schools.”

Mercy Foundation in Roseburg earned $375,768 to implement rural school-based telehealth clinics, providing direct access to primary care for school-aged children. The FCC’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program supports the efforts of health care providers to continue serving their patients by providing reimbursement for telecommunications services, information services, and connected devices necessary to enable telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“The project is a collaborative partnership with Mercy Foundation, Mercy Medical Center, Cow Creek Indians Health and Wellness Center and Evergreen Family Medicine to support the health and wellness of children and families including access to diabetes resources and ancillary services,” said Lisa Platt, Mercy Foundation President. “Needless to say we are humbled and thrilled by this news. This project enables us to further our mission of providing health and wellness resources to Douglas County children."