News from the Senate Majority

Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

For Immediate Release: March 26, 1997 Contact: Senator Drue Pearce 907/465-4993

Senate Sanctions The Alaska Telemedicine Project The Official Telemedicine Project Of Alaska

Juneau -- The Alaska State Senate passed a resolution Wednesday to recognize the Alaska Telemedicine Project as the official project for the state of Alaska. Now in its fourth year, this project has improved the availability and delivery of health care to all Alaskans through telecommunications and other information technologies.

"In a short time, The Alaska Telemedicine Project has made great strides to upgrade Alaska’s health care system so that all Alaskans will have better access to low-cost health care," said Senator Drue Pearce (R-anchorage), sponsor of Senate Concurrent Resolution 6. "We wanted to recognize this effort by giving the Project official state status."

The Alaska Telemedicine Project has been called a health care model for rural areas, developing nations and all health providers by many entities including the National Library of Medicine, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the Government of Romania.

Pearce noted that the Alaska Telemedicine Project is self-sustaining. It has accomplished its functions without state funding through independent grants, private sources and federal money. The Project’s goals include: assessing the health care needs of the state, demonstrating appropriate telehealth and telemedicine applications for Alaska and analyzing these applications for cost, benefit satisfaction and use.

"During a time when our state spending must be reduced to close Alaska’s fiscal gap, it’s important we applaud projects that improve the quality of life for Alaskans ," Pearce said. "This is an excellent example of a public/private partnership."

The Alaska Telemedicine Project was organized in 1994 by the University of Alaska Anchorage, Providence Health Systems in Alaska, and AT&T Alascom. Membership of the Project consists of professionals representing health care organizations, telecommunications carriers, and the University of Alaska.

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