FCC Seeks Comment on Further Reforms to Rural Health Care Program

The Federal Communications Commission adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on further reforms to the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program rules to promote program efficiency and ensure that rural healthcare providers receive appropriate levels of funding. Specifically, the FCC is seeking comment on several facets of the RHC Program including:

• Options for determining support in the Telecom Program and potential revisions to program forms and the USAC online portal to improve the quality and consistency of data;
• Ways to improve the accuracy of support provided in the Telecom Program, including changes to the Rates Database, as well as alternative rate determination mechanisms;
• A proposal to reform the Commission’s funding cap rules to more efficiently and effectively handle the internal cap on multi-year commitments and upfront payments in the HCF Program; and
• A proposal to simplify invoicing by harmonizing the process between the Telecom Program and the HCF Program as part of the Commission’s efforts to strengthen protections against waste, fraud, and abuse.