A house RESOLUTION

TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE PALMETTO CARE CONNECTIONS ON RECEIVING THE REDEFINING AMERICAN HEALTHCARE AWARD, PRESENTED BY THE HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL, AND TO COMMEND PALMETTO CARE CONNECTIONS ON ITS OUTSTANDING WORK IN INCREASING MEDICAL CARE TO THE UNDERSERVED.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) has been granted the coveted Healthcare Leadership Council Redefining American Healthcare Award; and

Whereas, presented this year on February 15, the award draws attention to existing initiatives that effectively address and improve health inequities; and

Whereas, Palmetto Care Connections, established in 2010, is a nonprofit organization that brings technology, broadband, and telehealth solutions to health care providers in rural and underserved areas in South Carolina. PCC hosts the Annual Telehealth Summit of South Carolina, presenting state and national best practices and trends, as well as providing networking connections for health care, technology, and broadband professionals; and

Whereas, the leader of the South Carolina broadband consortium, PCC assists health care providers in receiving broadband savings through the Federal Communication Commission's Healthcare Connect Fund program. Since 2013, PCC has helped providers save more than $30 million in broadband costs. In addition, PCC co-chairs the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance, along with the Medical University of South Carolina, serving as an advocate for rural providers and partnering with organizations to improve health care access and delivery for all South Carolinians; and

Whereas, further, the National Cooperative of Health Networks Association named Palmetto Care Connections as the 2021 Outstanding Health Network of the Year, and in recognition of her devotion to improving health care in rural areas, PCC Chief Executive Officer Kathy Schwarting received South Carolina's 2021 Community Star award, presented by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor and congratulate Palmetto Care Connections on receiving the Redefining American Healthcare Award, presented by the Healthcare Leadership Council, and commend Palmetto Care Connections on its outstanding work in increasing medical care to the underserved.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Palmetto Care Connections.

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