Implementing the National Broadband Plan | Issues

Rural Health Care Support Mechanism

On July 15, 2010, the Federal Communications Commission introduced a new health care connectivity program that would expand investment in broadband for medically underserved communities across the country. The program would give patients in rural areas access to state-of-the-art diagnostic tools typically available only in the largest and most sophisticated medical centers.

Comments on the proposed rules are due on or before September 8, 2010, and reply comments are due on or before September 23, 2010.

Comment due date: 09/23/2010

Periodically publish a Health Care Broadband Status Report

Recommendation #110
FCC Chapter: 10.11
The Federal Communications Commission should periodically publish a Health Care Broadband Status Report.

Upgrade Indian Health Service broadband service

Recommendation #109
FCC Chapter: 10.10

Status: Started

Congress should consider providing an incremental sum for the Indian Health Service for the purpose of upgrading its broadband service to meet connectivity requirements.

Require outcomes-based performance measures

Recommendation #108
FCC Chapter: 10.9

Status: In progress

To protect against waste, fraud and abuse in the Rural Health Care Program, the Federal Communications Commission should require participating institutions to meet outcomes-based performance measures to qualify for Universal Service Fund subsidies, such as the Department of Health and Human Services' meaningful use criteria.

Broaden eligibility for health care support

Recommendation #107
FCC Chapter: 10.8

Status: In progress

The Federal Communications Commission should authorize participation in the Health Care Broadband Funds by long-term care facilities, off-site administrative offices, data centers and other similar locations. Congress should consider providing support for for-profit institutions that serve particularly vulnerable populations.

Create a Health Care Broadband Infrastructure Fund

Recommendation #106
FCC Chapter: 10.7

Status: In progress

The Federal Communications Commission should establish a Health Care Broadband Infrastructure Fund to subsidize network deployment to health care delivery locations where existing networks are insufficient.

Create a Health Care Broadband Access Fund

Recommendation #105
FCC Chapter: 10.6

Status: In progress

The Federal Communications Commission should replace the existing Internet Access Fund with a Health Care Broadband Access Fund.

Give consumers control over all their digital health care data

Recommendation #104
FCC Chapter: 10.5

Status: Started

Congress should consider providing consumers access to -- and control over -- all their digital health care data in machine-readable formats in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost.

Facilitate health data sharing

Recommendation #103
FCC Chapter: 10.4

Status: Started

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology should establish common standards and protocols for sharing administrative, research and clinical data, and provide incentives for their use.

Clarify regulatory requirements and the approval process for converged communications and health care devices

Recommendation #102
FCC Chapter: 10.3

Status: In progress

The Federal Communications Commission and the Food and Drug Administration should clarify regulatory requirements and the approval process for converged communications and health care devices.