TOM RICE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON 7TH DISTRICT, SOUTH CAROLINA WAYS AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE ON SELECT REVENUE WASHINGTON OFFICE: MEASURES 512 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRADE WASHINGTON, DC 20515 TEL: (202) 225-9895 FAX: (202) 225-9690 556 June 26th, 2020 Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street SW Washington, D.C. 20554 Dear Sir, I am writing to express my interest in CareSouth Carolina, Inc. s application for the COVID-19 FCC - Telehealth funding opportunity. This funding will allow CareSouth Carolina to enhance its telehealth infrastructure and expand patient access. Since 1980, CareSouth Carolina has provided healthcare access to local residents. CareSouth Carolina is a federally qualified healthcare center that provides primary care, preventive services, and integrated behavioral health care to medically underserved residents in the rural, northeastern Pee Dee region of South Carolina. Counties served include Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Lee, and Marlboro. The services CareSouth Carolina provides are essential due to the high poverty rate in these rural areas. CareSouth Carolina plays a key role in improving the health and overall well-being for those in the area. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CareSouth Carolina conducted approximately 41% of patient visits via telehealth. Such use is projected to continue. With this funding, CareSouth Carolina will be able to enhance its telehealth capacity and expand patient access by distributing smart phones with internet connectivity. This expansion is estimated to reach 14,951 patients across twelve sites and five counties. I look forward to seeing the positive impacts telehealth will provide to the residents in the Seventh District of South Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. GRAND STRAND REGIONAL OFFICE: WWW.RICE.HOUSE.GOV PEE DEE REGIONAL OFFICE: 2411 NORTH OAK STREET, SUITE 405 FACEBOOK.COM/REPTOMRICE 1831 WEST EVANS STREET, SUITE 300 MYRTLE BEACH, SC 29577 TWITTER.COM/REPTOMRICE FLORENCE, SC 29501 TEL: (843) 445-6459 YOUTUBE.COM/REPTOMRICE TEL: (843) 679-9781 FAX: (843) 445-6418 INSTAGRAM.COM/REPTOMRICE FAX: (843) 679-9783 TOM RICE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON 7TH DISTRICT, SOUTH CAROLINA WAYS AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE ON SELECT REVENUE WASHINGTON OFFICE: MEASURES 512 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRADE WASHINGTON, DC 20515 TEL: (202) 225-9895 FAX: (202) 225-9690 I would request that the Federal Communications Commission give the application full and careful consideration. If you have any questions, please contact my Grants Specialists, Brittany Ferrigno, at (843) 445  6459. Sincerely, Tom Rice Member of Congress GRAND STRAND REGIONAL OFFICE: WWW.RICE.HOUSE.GOV PEE DEE REGIONAL OFFICE: 2411 NORTH OAK STREET, SUITE 405 FACEBOOK.COM/REPTOMRICE 1831 WEST EVANS STREET, SUITE 300 MYRTLE BEACH, SC 29577 TWITTER.COM/REPTOMRICE FLORENCE, SC 29501 TEL: (843) 445-6459 YOUTUBE.COM/REPTOMRICE TEL: (843) 679-9781 FAX: (843) 445-6418 INSTAGRAM.COM/REPTOMRICE FAX: (843) 679-9783