Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin J. Martin on Nov. 14 announced a comprehensive proposal to fund a $400 million rural healthcare pilot program (RHCPP) that would expand access to health care to America’s rural and underserved communities through the creation of broadband telehealth networks in 42 states and three U.S. territories.
The healthcare facilities qualified to participate in the pilot program would utilize funding to leverage existing telehealth networks or build out new, comprehensive systems for telehealth projects. RHCPP participants would be eligible for universal service funding to support up to 85 percent of the costs associated with the design, engineering, and construction of innovative and highly efficient broadband systems.
In addition, healthcare providers participating in the pilot program would be strongly encouraged to coordinate in the use of their telehealth networks with HHS and, in particular, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in instances of national, regional, or local public health emergencies such as bioterrorism events, pandemics, or disease-related outbreaks. In such public health emergencies, selected participants would provide access to their supported networks to public health officials so that they could share critical, time-sensitive information and risk management guidance as part of a comprehensive response effort.
