Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon state officials took a significant step this week toward delivering better medical care to remote parts of the state. Rob Manning reports.

With a shortage of doctors in rural Oregon, patients often have to drive hours to get medical care.

State officials and hospital executives are responding by creating a high-speed fiber-optic network across Oregon, for medical purposes.

Oregon officials have now committed $500,000 toward a $3 million local goal. That money is necessary to get a $21 million federal match.

Andy Davidson is with the Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. He says the network would probably start out by delivering classes to medical providers. But he says in time, it could mean sending medical files and conducting medical visits, on-line.

Andy Davidson: “I think in five years, we’re going to have a network, and infrastructure, and business relationships that are going to put Oregon close to the forefront of what’s happening medically. This is really exciting.”

Davidson says delivering broadband to rural parts of the state could also boost rural economies, by speeding up connections for all businesses.