State Senator Michael Balboni (R-East Williston) announced that nearly $260,000 will be provided to two local home care agencies under the Telemedicine Demonstration Project, which will identify new technologies and help improve quality of care and disease management for home care patients across the State.

The following home care agencies have been awarded funding under this

initiative:

* Winthrop-University Hospital Home Health Agency: $105,088

* Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care & Rehabilitation: $149,958

"I am pleased to bring home dollars to help ensure our seniors are afforded the best quality in home care," said Balboni. "Through this technology, home care agencies will have greater access to their patients and in doing so, be able to provide an even higher level of service for our seniors."

Telemedicine allows physicians and patients to communicate in separate locations through various means, including the use of telecommunications and web-based technologies. Health care providers will have the capability to access patient medical records electronically and update those records in consultation with patients on a continual basis in their homes.

The Telemedicine Demonstration Project, administered by the State Department of Health, will identify new technologies and help improve quality of care and disease management for home care patients. More specifically, the pilot initiative will serve as a critical component in New York's efforts to further increase access to quality health care for residents in all areas of the state, as well as to those who are primarily home-bound due to chronic health conditions and/or disabilities.