Congressman Nick Langworthy Announces Over $1,054,000 in USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants for Western New York and the Southern Tier

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) announced a combined $1,054,354 in grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as part of the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants Program. Bertrand Chaffee Hospital in Springville will receive a total of $278,734, while Erie-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES will receive a grant of $775,620.

“Representing rural communities in Western New York and the Southern Tier, I’m committed to investing in their well-being and advancement through the USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program,” said Congressman Langworthy. “This funding for Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and Erie-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES will have an incredible impact on our region's access to quality healthcare and educational resources. I’m proud to lead bipartisan legislation to reauthorize this grant program in the upcoming Farm Bill to support improvements in healthcare and education infrastructure across the country.”

Last year, Congressman Langworthy introduced the Rural Telehealth and Education Enhancement Act, which will reauthorize the USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program, which provides federal funding to connect rural communities to quality telemedicine and distance learning services.

The grant provided to Bertrand Chaffee Hospital will benefit patients of the Emergency Department and Medical-Surgical unit so they can connect with outside providers for specialty consultation and care otherwise not provided at the hospital. This new technology is expected to help at least 4,296 patients.

Additionally, the grant for Erie-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES will equip sites throughout Chautauqua County, southern Erie County, and part of Cattaraugus County in Western New York with video-telecommunications hardware, software, and integrated classroom presentation equipment to create new distance-learning rooms and portable solutions. This is expected to improve the quality and quantity of course offerings, including offering Native American instruction in Seneca art, culture, history, and language to 11 locations, benefitting a minimum of 7,055 students.