14 Dec FCC Votes to Approve Temporary Increase in Rural Health Funding, Full Program Review
The Federal Communications Commission voted to approve a review of the Rural Health Care (RHC) program which provides funding for rural telehealth expansion in order to improve patients’ access to health care in rural areas. The vote includes a one-year increase in the $400 million budget cap on the program and gives the agency approval to conduct a full review and analysis of the program to ensure it is serving on its mission to the best of its ability. In the past two years, the program has hit the funding cap quickly, leaving many hospitals in need without access to the funds. This review hopes to ensure the funding process is as effective as possible moving forward, and that waste, fraud, and abuse are eliminated.
The Coalition held a webinar on the FCC USAC funding for RHC in September of 2017.