Articles and Blogs

On July 10, 2019, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) voted unanimously to move forward with its new $100 million telehealth initiative, which seeks to bring telehealth services to low-income Americans, veterans and medically underserved communities. In its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the FCC detailed its proposed telehealth initiative rules and anticipated program requirements. As currently... READ MORE

The Oregon Health Network (“OHN”) has appealed to the FCC an adverse ruling by USAC regarding whether health care provider service locations that are urban, but are not licensed bed hospitals (or other eligible entities), will qualify for funding under the Healthcare Connect Fund (“HCF”). The determination of this issue will clarify whether the scope... READ MORE

Governmental and nonprofit health care providers may begin applying for funding under the Federal Communications Commission Rural Health Care Program on Monday, April 8 for funding year 2013 (July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014). The Rural Health Care program provides funding to governmental and nonprofit eligible health care providers for telecommunications services, including broadband, necessary... READ MORE

The Federal Communication Commission (“FCC”) released rules governing how it will distribute $150 million annually out of the Healthcare Connect Fund to qualifying health care providers to support the provision of health care services to the rural population.  The Healthcare Connect Fund grows on the experience and lessons learned by the FCC through its... READ MORE

On December 12, 2012 the FCC approved a report and order expanding the scope of the Universal Service Fund (“USF”).  The $400 million annual fund exists to bring telecommunication services to health care providers for the benefit of persons who reside in rural areas.  The FCC acted to revise the existing USF program by: READ MORE

In a recent Public Notice the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) seeks to develop a more robust record in the pending Rural Health Care reform rulemaking, particularly with regard to the proposed Broadband Service Program (“BSP”). Through the FCC’s Universal Service Fund Program (“USFP”), the FCC has funded (on an eighty-five percent (85%) basis) infrastructure... READ MORE

On July 6, 2012, the FCC issued an order in which it indicated that it would likely issue revised regulations for the Universal Service Fund (USF). Specifically, within Docket 02-06 the FCC has been entertaining comments regarding reform to the USF in the following three areas: READ MORE