FCC Improving Support for Digital Health in Rural America

The Federal Communications Commission approved several proposals for the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program to make it easier for healthcare providers to receive support, reduce delays in funding commitments, and improve the program's overall efficiency. Reliable high-speed connectivity is critical for rural healthcare providers to serve patients in rural areas that often have limited resources, fewer doctors, and higher rates for broadband and telecommunications services than urban areas. The Commission’s Rural Health Care Program expands access to telehealth and telemedicine services by providing financial support to eligible healthcare providers for high-speed broadband connections and telecommunications services. The FCC's actions will resolve petitions for reconsideration on issues from the August 2019 Promoting Telehealth Report and Order, and adopt proposals from the February 2022 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted by the FCC seeks comment on a number of items related to telehealth access.