Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-473

EHS 473

Digital Health Navigators

Messrs. Gomez and Mark, Ms. Moran and Messrs. Velis and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 4510-0100, by adding the the following: “; provided further, that no less than $750,000 to establish a pilot telehealth navigator program that utilizes community health workers, social workers and other healthcare professionals to assist patients with accessing telehealth services, including community health integration services that focus on person-centered planning, health system coordination, promoting patient self-advocacy and facilitating access to community-based resources to address unmet social needs that interfere with a practitioner’s diagnosis and treatment of the patient including digital literacy; provided, that said program and its funding shall prioritize populations who experience increased barriers in accessing healthcare and telehealth services, including historically underrepresented populations, low-income communities, the elderly and those who may need assistance with telehealth services due to limited English proficiency or limited literacy with digital health tools; provided further, that entities receiving funding through this program shall provide culturally and linguistically competent hands-on support to educate patients on how to access broadband and wireless services and subsequently utilize devices and online platforms to access telehealth services; and provided further, that the department shall collect information regarding the utility of said program to improve health outcomes for patients participating in said telehealth navigator pilot program”; and by striking the figure “$60,051,007” and inserting in place thereof the figure: “$60,801,007”.