Chairman Pai Statement On Broadband Health And The Connect2Health Task Force

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai issued the following statement on his visit to the Cleveland Clinic and the continued work of the Connect2HealthFCC Task Force: “Today, I had the pleasure of meeting with the visionary leaders at the Cleveland Clinic. I was impressed by the innovative work they are doing in telehealth, particularly in the area of lifesaving tele-stroke services. With technology-based solutions like this, health care providers can deliver high-quality care to patients anywhere. Expanding the reach of medical expertise with connectivity illustrates the potential of broadband to improve people's lives, particularly in rural and underserved areas. That's something I personally appreciate, as the son of two doctors who have practiced for almost four decades in a small town in Kansas. This visit also highlighted the important role of the FCC in bridging the broadband-enabled health gap. That is yet another aspect of the digital divide, which I'm committed to closing. Accordingly, I'm pleased to announce that the Commission’s Connect2HealthFCC Task Force will continue to focus on this important issue. My colleague, Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, has shown passion and leadership on these issues in the past, and she will continue to lead this effort. I look forward to working closely with her on this initiative, which aims to address an increasingly important aspect of digital empowerment."