STATEWIDE -- A 1.2 million dollar award will help improve the health of Mainers.

17 federally qualified health centers and 5 community hospitals, including St. Joseph Healthcare, are getting the money to expand access to virtual specialty consultations.

A statement says timely access to a specialist is proven to improve disease prevention, enable earlier detection and treatment, enhance quality of life, and reduce preventable healthcare costs.

Yet rural residents often face delays in care due to specialist shortages and long travel distances.

The statement says those are factors can result in undiagnosed illness and poorer long term health outcomes.

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