Chairman Pai Discusses FCC's Telehealth Work at Boston Conference

I'd like to share what we are doing at the Federal Communications Commission to seize the opportunities of connected health. 

On the subject of Rural Health Care Program funding for Funding Year 2018, I have some good news to share. Based on information provided by the Program administrator, we expect to fully fund out of the 2018 $581 million budget all eligible amounts for single-year 2018 funding requests from participating rural health care providers. In English: Every rural clinic or hospital seeking to lower its cost of service for this next year is eligible for full funding. We not only want to make sure our current universal service programs are working effectively and efficiently; this past Aug, the FCC launched an initiative to more fully realize the potential of digital health for low-income Americans. Specifically, we’re considering a program to promote the use of broadband-enabled telehealth services among low-income families and veterans. Our thinking is that patients would benefit from services delivered directly in their homes—such as sensor-based remote monitoring—instead of just brick-and-mortar health care facilities. We’re looking at a proposed $100 million budget for this so-called “Connected Care Pilot Program,” and we are seeking public input on how best to design it.