[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 25 (Thursday, February 6, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6177-6178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-2823]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Telehealth Network Competitive Grant Announcement HRSA-03-049

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.

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SUMMARY: This announcement replaces the announcement published on page 
60 of the Fall 2002 HRSA Preview and the Federal Register dated August 
9, 2002, Vol. 67, No.154.
    The Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA), Office 
for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT), announces the availability of 
funds for fiscal year (FY) 2003 awards for approximately 20 Telehealth 
Network Grants. HRSA will award grants to demonstrate how telehealth 
network projects in rural areas, in medically underserved areas, in 
frontier communities, and for medically underserved populations, can be 
used to: (a) Expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of 
health care services; (b) improve and expand the training of health 
care providers; and (c) expand and improve the quality of health 
information available to health care providers, patients, and their 
families. The primary objective of the Telehealth Network Grant Program 
(TNGP) is to help communities build the human, technical, and financial 
capacity to develop sustainable telehealth programs and networks.
    Available Funding: At the time this Federal Register Notice is 
issued, HRSA is operating under a Continuing Resolution. Assuming that 
this level of funding continues, there will be available approximately 
$5 million to support up to 20 Telehealth Network Grant awards in FY 
2003. It is expected that the average TNGP award will be approximately 
$250,000. These estimates are subject to change if an appropriations 
act providing otherwise is enacted. After the first year, continuation 
funding will depend on reasonable progress and on the availability of 
funds. There are no matching requirements for this program.
    Eligible Applicants: The applicant shall be a nonprofit entity that 
will provide services through a telehealth network. Although the grant 
recipient may not be a profit making entity, each entity participating 
in the telehealth network may be either a nonprofit or for-profit 
entity. Faith-based and community-based organizations are encouraged to 
apply.
    The telehealth network shall include at least two (2) of the 
following entities (at least one (1) of which shall be a community-
based health care provider):
    (a) Community or migrant health centers or other federally 
qualified health centers;
    (b) Health care providers, including pharmacists, in private 
practice;
    (c) Entities operating clinics, including rural health clinics;
    (d) Local health departments;
    (e) Nonprofit hospitals, including community (critical) access 
hospitals;
    (f) Other publicly funded health or social service agencies;
    (g) Long-term care providers;
    (h) Providers of health care services in the home;
    (i) Providers of outpatient mental health services and entities 
operating outpatient mental health facilities;
    (j) Local or regional emergency health care providers;
    (k) Institutions of higher education, and/or
    (l) Entities operating dental clinics.
    Authorizing Legislation: The Telehealth Network Grant Program is 
authorized by Section 330I of the Public Health Service Act. The Health 
Care Safety Net Amendments of 2002, Public Law 107-251, amended the 
Public Service Act by adding Section 330I.
    Where to Request and Send Applications: To obtain an application 
kit, contact the HRSA Grants Application Center at their toll-free 
telephone number (1-877-477-2123) and request the OMB Catalogue of 
Federal Domestic Assistance number (CFDA) 93.211, citing ``Telehealth 
Network Grant Program.'' To submit the completed kit: Send the original 
and two copies of your grant application to: HRSA Grants Application 
Center, Attention: HAB Grants Management Officer, CFDA  
93.211, HRSA-03-049, 901 Russell Avenue, Suite 450, Gaithersburg, MD 
20879. Applications sent to any other address are subject to being 
returned.
    Application Dates: A letter of intent to submit an application is 
requested by February 20, 2003. Applications for this announced grant 
must be received in the HRSA Grants Application Center by close of 
business April 7, 2003. Applications shall be considered as meeting the 
deadline if they are (1) received on or before the deadline date or (2) 
postmarked on or before the deadline date and received in time for 
orderly processing and submission to the review committee. Applicants 
should request a legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier or 
U.S. Postal Service postmark. Private metered postmarks will not be 
accepted as proof of timely mailing. Applications postmarked after the 
due date will be returned to the applicant.

ADDRESSES: Using the form in the application, letters of intent are 
requested for OAT to determine how many will apply. Letters of intent 
to apply for funding should be faxed to (301) 443-1330 or e-mailed to 
Monica Cowan at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Inquiries regarding programmatic and 
technical information may be made to (301) 443-0447 or to the following 
e-mail address: [email protected]. Telephone responses, where appropriate, 
will be made within 48 hours by an OAT staff member.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Applications will be reviewed by an 
objective review committee. The review criteria will include:
    (1) Needs assessment and development of goals and objectives (e.g., 
Does the applicant demonstrate knowledge of the region's health status, 
referral and usage patterns, issues of practitioner recruitment/
retention, other telehealth activities in the region, etc? Are the 
expected outcomes for each objective described using qualitative and 
quantitative measures?);
    (2) Program priorities--Does the applicant address any or all of 
the following: (a) Clinical telemedicine networks that address chronic 
conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes) in a variety of settings, such as 
patient homes, schools, and other community settings; (b) projects that 
are designed to demonstrate improved health care outcomes (e.g., 
improved access, productivity, dollars saved) as well as improved 
quality of services (e.g. reduction of medical errors); (c) clinical 
telemedicine networks that include distance-learning education for 
health professionals, and patients and their families, if such 
activities are in conjunction with the delivery of health services; and 
(d) clinical telemedicine networks that integrate their telemedicine 
information system into overall electronic clinical information systems 
(e.g. electronic medical record) used by network members.
    (3) Implementation and monitoring of the work plan (e.g., Is the 
proposed work plan feasible? Are the qualifications and 
responsibilities of key individuals in the telehealth network clearly 
identified?);
    (4) Community involvement, cost participation, and sustainability 
(e.g., How will network members and members of the community have an 
active role in planning the telehealth network project? Does the 
applicant

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demonstrate a long-term commitment to the project, beyond the 3-year 
funding cycle?);
    (5) Evaluation and dissemination (e.g. Do the data collection tools 
and strategies directly address the objectives outlined for the 
program? Is there a plan for disseminating information about the 
project, including ``lessons learned?''); and
    (6) Budget (e.g. Are program needs for equipment, supplies, 
contractual services, etc., adequately justified in terms of the 
goal(s), objectives, and proposed activities?).
    The Secretary will give preference to an eligible entity that meets 
at least one (1) of the following requirements:
    (a) Organization--The eligible entity is a rural community-based 
organization, other community-based organization, or a faith-based 
organization.
    (b) Service--The eligible entity proposes to use Federal funds made 
available through such a grant to develop plans for, or to establish, 
telehealth networks that provide mental health, public health, long-
term care, home care, preventive health, or case management services.
    (c) Coordination--The eligible entity demonstrates how the project 
to be carried out under the grant will be coordinated with other 
relevant federally funded projects in the areas, communities, and 
populations to be served through the grant.
    (d) Network--The eligible entity demonstrates that the project 
involves a telehealth network that includes an entity that--
    (i) Provides clinical health care services, or educational services 
for health care providers and for patients or their families; and
    (ii) Is--
    (I) A public school;
    (II) A public library;
    (III) An institution of higher education; or
    (IV) A local government entity.
    (e) Connectivity--The eligible entity proposes a project that 
promotes local connectivity within areas, communities, or populations 
to be served through the project.
    (f) Integration--The eligible entity demonstrates that health care 
information has been integrated into the project.
    Priority will be given to applications that address the following 
program priorities:
    (g) Clinical telemedicine networks that address chronic conditions 
(e.g., asthma, diabetes) in a variety of settings, such as patient 
homes, schools, and other community settings;
    (h) Projects designed to improve health care outcomes (e.g., 
improved access, productivity, dollars saved) as well as improved 
quality of services (e.g., reduction of medical errors);
    (i) Clinical telemedicine networks that include distance-learning 
education for health professionals, and patients and their families, if 
such activities are in conjunction with the delivery of health 
services; and
    (j) Clinical telemedicine networks that integrate their 
telemedicine information system into overall electronic clinical 
information systems (e.g., electronic medical record) used by network 
members.

    Note: In accordance with Public Law 107-251, (a) the total 
amount of funds awarded for rural projects for FY 2003 shall not be 
less than the total amount of funds awarded for FY 2001 under 
section 330A, and (b) the funds will be distributed so that not less 
than 50 percent of the total funds awarded under this program 
announcement shall be awarded for projects in rural areas.

    Paperwork Reduction Act: Should any of the data collection 
activities associated with this grant program fall under the purview of 
the Paper Reduction Act of 1995, OMB approval will be sought.

    Dated: January 22, 2003.
Elizabeth M. Duke,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-2823 Filed 2-5-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P