Statewide California Telehealth Network Launches

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and U.S. Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra joined a diverse group of statewide healthcare and technology agencies at the UC Davis Cancer Center in Sacramento to launch the California Telehealth Network (CTN). A $30 million joint funding effort between the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF), the California HealthCare Foundation, UnitedHealthcare, the National Coalition for Healthcare Integration, the University of California, and other private and public entities, the Sacramento-based California Telehealth Network is the largest single-state grant award of its kind. It will connect more than 800 California healthcare facilities to a statewide medical-grade network of healthcare and emergency services.

Using broadband to connect healthcare providers, the California Telehealth Network will join 68 other networks in the nation and serve as a backbone in establishing telemedicine and eHealthcare. CTN is a public and private, federal and state partnership which can be used as a model across the nation as other networks are funded and come on board.

The CTN peer-to-peer network will share X-rays and other diagnostic tests, alas well as information for continuing education/distance learning, disaster preparedness, and access to new technologies.

The CTN is being managed and led by the University of California on behalf of the Governor's office, with guidance from an Advisory Board consisting of experts from state government, rural healthcare, telemedicine and technology. A statewide consortium was initially brought together by the Governor's Office to develop the CTN project and proposal to the FCC.