563 July 3, 2020 The Honorable Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street SW Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Pai, I write in support of City of Hope s application to the Federal Communications Commission s (FCC) COVID-19 Telehealth Program. City of Hope is an independent research and treatment center for patients with cancer, diabetes, and other life- threatening diseases that is based in Duarte, California. It is the only freestanding, National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in California that is not affiliated with a university. During this pandemic, there is still a vital need for access to ongoing cancer diagnosis and treatment. Cancer patients represent one of the most vulnerable populations and are at high risk of serious illness, as their immune systems are weakened by cancer and its treatment. City of Hope has already taken steps to ensure its patients continue to receive life- saving therapy during these uncertain times, and funding through the COVID-19 Telehealth Program would allow the institution to expand upon these efforts. City of Hope s proposed telehealth program is designed to minimize the health risks and exposure to its cancer patients by limiting the need to travel to the hospital or other network clinical locations, and it plans to purchase the necessary equipment to treat cancer patients at home through the use of cameras, headsets, laptops and tablets. This new equipment will be utilized for inpatient support services, allowing family members, who are currently unable to visit the hospital, to be part of treatment decisions and provide emotional support to their loved ones. The funding would also allow City of Hope to purchase and deploy Radiologist Workstations, which allow physicians to provide the same level of clinical expertise outside the hospital setting. As you continue your work, I would ask that you give every consideration to the application of City of Hope as it seeks to use telehealth to protect vulnerable cancer patients. These services are critical as City of Hope serves a population of nearly 20 million people across a service area that covers four Southern California Counties: Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside. Thank you for considering City of Hope s application. Sincerely, Grace F. Napolitano Member of Congress