524 June 18, 2020 The Honorable Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street SW Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Pai: We are pleased to write in strong support of Montgomery County, Maryland s application to the Federal Communications Commission for funding under the COVID-19 Telehealth program (OMB Control Number 3060-1271). Montgomery County has worked as a direct health care provider and through public private partnerships with other healthcare providers to ensure that our most vulnerable populations have access to medical and mental health services. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Montgomery County must adapt the way it provides these services. The County proposes to fund tablets and healthcare software for clinicians and low- income and disabled patients to use to provide health appointment, treatment, and visits through video conferencing instead of in person. A small amount of additional funding is being asked for software for deaf and blind telehealth service delivery, three months of Internet access for a few patients and headsets for privacy for patients living in group home settings. Montgomery County would further leverage this new equipment and internet connectivity to offer training on how to use telehealth services, access medical information online, and how to use online health monitoring tools that is funded through other public private partnerships. We strongly support Montgomery County s application and urge you to give it full and favorable consideration. Sincerely, /s/ Benjamin L. Cardin /s/ Chris Van Hollen Benjamin L. Cardin Chris Van Hollen United States Senator United States Senator /s/ John P. Sarbanes /s/ Jamie Raskin John P. Sarbanes Jamie Raskin Member of Congress Member of Congress /s/ David Trone David Trone Member of Congress