PUBLIC LAW 102-551—OCT. 28, 1992 106 STAT. 4099

"(A) IN GENERAL.—Priority for grants under this sub-
section shall be accorded applicants whose applications and
plans demonstrate—

"(i) the greatest likelihood of successfully and effi-
ciently carrying out the activities described in the
application and the plan of the applicant;

"(ii) the greatest likelihood of improving health

care services or educational services in the rural areas;

"(iii) coordination between local exchange carriers

to carry out activities as described in the application;

and

"(iv) unconditional financial support from each
affected local community.

"(B) GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY.—In awarding grants, the
Administrator shall seek to achieve geographic diversity
among the grantees.

"(4) MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF GRANT.—The amount of each
grant awarded under this subsection shall not exceed
$1,500,000.

"(5) DISTRIBUTION OF GRANTS.—Grants to a qualified
consortium under this subsection shall be disbursed over a
period of not more than 3 years.
"(6) USE OF FUNDS.—

"(A) IN GENERAL.—Grants under this subsection may
be used to support the costs of activities involving the
sending and receiving of information to improve health
care services or educational services in rural areas,
including—

"(i) in the case of grants to improve health care
services—

"(I) consultations between health care pro-
viders;

"(ID transmitting and analyzing x rays, lab
slides, and other images;

"(III) developing and evaluating automated
claims processing, and transmitting automated
patient records; and /

"(IV) developing innovative health professions
education programs;

"(ii) in the case of grants to improve educational
services—

"(I) developing innovative education programs
and expanding curriculum offerings;

"(II) providing continuing education to all
members of the community;

"(III) providing means for libraries of edu-
cational institutions or public libraries to share
resources;

"(IV) providing the public with access to State
and national data bases;

"(V) conducting town meetings; and
"(VI) covering meetings of agencies of State
government; and
"(iii) in all cases—

"(I) transmitting financial information; and