Bollinger County Library Receives MissouriCare Grant to Expand Broadband Access Through Wi-Fi Hotspots

Eva Dunn, 573-238-2713

emzooo@hotmail.com

Senator-Elect Rehder, MissouriCare Help Bollinger County Library Expand Broadband Access to Rural Bollinger County Through Wi-Fi Hotspots

MARBLE HILL, Mo. – (Dec. 10, 2020) – Bollinger County Library received a $25,000 grant from Missouri Care Inc., an Anthem company, to strengthen internet connectivity for rural Bollinger County residents who lack service when they are at home or are on-the-go.

The library currently has 10 publicly accessible Wi-Fi hotspots in the outlying areas of the county that are all being used but have service limitations. The Bollinger County Commission authorized the use of the Coronavirus Relief Fund to buy larger routers and antennas, but the federal money must be used during the current calendar year. That left a funding gap for the continuing data and installation costs, as well as maintenance required for the two-year project. Senator-elect Holly Rehder and MissouriCare stepped up to help solve this problem.

“Without the leadership from Senator-elect Rehder and funds from MissouriCare, the larger capacity hotspots would not happen,” Bollinger County Library Director Eva Dunn said. “The small hotspots would also have gone away after the program ended in June of next year. Their help is a God-send.”

In addition to distance learning needs in Bollinger County, MissouriCare envisions this project as a pipeline for greater healthcare flexibility for county residents.

“I’m so thankful to MissouriCare for providing this grant to Bollinger County to help fund mobile hotspots for Wi-Fi,” Senator-elect Rehder said. “Rural broadband is incredibly lacking, yet our need is greater than ever with so many now having to work and be educated from home. We simply cannot get by with the status quo any longer. MissouriCare’s willingness to get involved in our communities, roll-up their sleeves and help with solutions is tremendous. I cannot be more grateful.”

“This grant will provide our rural communities with resources to stay connected, promote health and wellness, and enable emotional and social support,” said Jeff Davis, MissouriCare Interim President. “If rural patients have a good internet connection, they can expand their options for medical services and specialists while also saving time and money. This is part of MissouriCare’s coordinated response to supporting programs that improve health and enhance overall quality of life for our members and community organizations.”

MissouriCare continues to adopt a digital-first approach within the local community and connect with members when they want and how they want it, putting them at the center. Technology is helping close gaps in care and better support members across the state. MissouriCare’s holistic approach meets the needs of the whole person while creating and delivering innovative, data-driven and personalized solutions that enhance the member healthcare experience.

In order to continue delivering on this digital-first approach, MissouriCare recently donated 200 laptop computers to foster care youth to ensure that young people are able to access support services and remain connected to family and friends. The computers support telehealth services, social distancing guidelines, virtual education and access for online classes and college courses for some of the most vulnerable and disconnected youth and young adults.

The laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots help local families and youth maintain the social connections critical to their well-being. Connectivity is crucial for continuing education, getting or maintaining a job, and accessing benefits and services.

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About Bollinger County Library

Bollinger County Library is a Literacy Center and a Technology Center for Bollinger County residents. It offers 22 public Internet computers, childrens programs, self-help workshops, family programs, Missouri Reference Shelf, fax / copy machine, microfilm reader, genealogy resources + Genealogy Harvest New Release, as well as books and magazines. To learn more about Bollinger County Library, visit http://www.bocolib.com Follow the library on Facebook

About MissouriCare

Missouri Care Inc., an Anthem company, is a managed healthcare organization committed to serving those who need it most. MissouriCare recognizes the challenges low-income and underserved individuals face, and tailors its programs such that health plan members are assured care that is not only accessible, but also accountable, comprehensive, integrated and patient-centered. MissouriCare provides ongoing community relations and outreach to encourage members to become active participants in their healthcare. Also, through health education programs, members are empowered to choose and sustain healthy lifestyles. MissouriCare provides coverage for all MO HealthNet health programs, including: MO HealthNet for Kids, MO HealthNet for Pregnant Women and MO HealthNet for Families. To learn more about MissouriCare, visit www.missouricare.com. MissouriCare will rebrand its plan Healthy Blue effective January 1, 2021 with MO HealthNet (Medicaid) benefits and services remaining the same. Follow the company on Facebook and Twitter @HealthyBlueMO and LinkedIn @healthy-blue-mo.