COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS KEN CALVERT 42ND DIS TRICT, CALIFORN IA S UBCOMMITTEES: 592 RANKING REPUBLICAN WASHINGT ON OFFICE: DEFENS E 2205 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, D C 2051 5-0542 ENERGY ANO WATER DEVELOPMENT (202) 225-1986 F AX: ( 202) 225- 2004 WWW.CALVERT .H OUSE.GOV F ACEB OOK.COMIREPKENCALVERT DISTRICT OFFICE: UNITED STATES @KENCALVERT 400 S OUT H V 1C ENTIA AVENUE SUITE 125 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CORONA. CA 92882 (95 1) 2 7 7-0042 F AX: (95 1) 277-0420 July 14, 2020 Chai1man Ajit Pai Federal Conununications Commission 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chainnan Pai, I write in support of City of Hope' s Federal Communications Commission' s (FCC) COVID-19 Telehealth Program grant application which was appropriated by Congress as patt of the Coronavi.tus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. City of Hope is an independent research and treatment center for patients with cancer, diabetes, and other life-tlu·eatening diseases that has one of its cancer clinics in Corona, California. Amidst the COVID-19 crisis, the need for ongoing cancer diagnosis and the urgen~y of access to treatment have not abated. Cancer patients represent one of the most vulnerable populations during this health crisis as they are at high risk of se1ious illness because their immune systems are weakened by cancer and its treatment. As an institution, City of Hope has already taken steps to ensure its patients continue to receive life-saving therapy during these uncertain ti.tnes. An award tlu·ough the FCC Telehealth program would allow City of Hope to expand upon these efforts. City of Hope's proposed telehealth program is specifically 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. If approved, City of Hope plans to purchase the necessary equipment to enable its providers to treat cancer patients at home using cameras, headsets, laptops and tablets. Additionally, new equipment will be utilized for inpatient supp01t services, allowing family members (who are cmTently unable to visit the hospital) to be patt of treatment decisions and provide emotional support to their loved ones. Finally, the funds would allow city of Hope to purchase and deploy Radiologist Workstations which allow physicians to provide the same level of clinical expe1tise outside the hospital setting. 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 (Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernai·dino). I want to thank you and the other Commissioners for your role in expanding telehealth services across the country through this critical initiative. As you continue your work, I would ask that you give evety consideration to the application of City of Hope as it seeks to use telehealth to protect vulnerable cancer patients. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, KEN CALVERT Member of Congress