Continuing his commitment to expand broadband network access across California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced Tuesday a $22 million grant award to the California Telehealth Network by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). 

"As we move forward this year with comprehensive health care reform, using technology is a major component in improving patient care. By expanding broadband networks for telemedicine, we can connect the best medical experts to clinics in remote areas of the state. It's critical that California continues to lead the way with this technology, which shows how we can save time, money and most importantly, we can save lives," said Schwarzenegger.

Last year, Schwarzenegger signed Executive Orders S-12-06, S-21-06 and S-23-06 to encourage building broadband networks by bringing together experts from government and business so they can work together to identify and eliminate obstacles to making broadband internet access available everywhere in the state. The governor also included $200 million in Proposition 1D to build telemedicine capacity around the state.

The award will be headed by the University of California in partnership with a coalition of government agencies, health care providers and others, this $22 million award will allow the project partners to:

• Create a network that provides state-of-the-art technology and security;
• Increase the bandwidth capacity and number of telemedicine connections between California's health providers; and
• Build upon existing rural telemedicine networks and connect approximately 300 health care providers that are currently unconnected to telemedicine services.

The California Telehealth Network will aim to improve access for rural and underserved areas to state-of-the-art health services. Further, it will be used as a resource for emergency services and disaster preparedness.

In making these awards available throughout the country, the FCC seeks to significantly increase access to health care in rural America by linking California providers to a nationwide broadband network dedicated to health care.