EVERETT, October 11, 2022—Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) presented the Snohomish Health District on October 6 with a $250,000 ceremonial check for its new telehealth and electronic health record program and received a briefing on the program’s progress. DelBene secured the investment in the FY22 federal omnibus funding package.

These resources will allow the Snohomish Health District to implement a new electronic health record system and telehealth program. Patients and staff will be able to eliminate up to 2,400 miles of travel as a result. The program’s initial use will be for tuberculosis treatment, but the department will also be able to leverage this new technology for other programs such as maternal and child health.

“Our health care system is rapidly becoming digital and this federal investment that I secured will ensure the Snohomish Health District can bring cutting-edge health technology to rural parts of the county. This will help improve health outcomes, and save patients and taxpayers money,” said DelBene. “This isn’t a one-time use program. The District can leverage this technology for other uses in the future.”

“This new system will greatly improve our ability to provide care wherever our staff are working,” said Shawn Frederick, Snohomish Health District Administrative Officer. “In short, this project will allow us to create the infrastructure we need in order to implement better access to health information for our community.”

In March, DelBene secured nearly $7 million for 10 projects in her congressional district, including the Snohomish Health District. This was the first time in over a decade that members of Congress could advocate for funding for specific projects in their districts through the annual government funding process. Projects came directly from non-profit, city, county, Tribal, and state entities, and all funding secured was done in collaboration with project sponsors.

Content Source: Office of Congresswoman Susan DelBene press release