Clyburn Presses for 'Broadband Health Safety Net' as Possible RHC Program Changes Debated
FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn pushed for a "broadband health safety net" for underserved groups, again highlighting "double burden" counties with higher disease rates and lower connectivity levels (see 1802080057). She thanked Chairman Ajit Pai for his continued commitment to a Connect2HealthFCC task force but said more should be done. "We should stop shaking our heads and conceding that some people will always fall through the cracks," she said in prepared remarks at a conference Wednesday. "Let’s aim higher, by intentionally meeting the health needs of every single American ... and let’s leverage broadband technology." She cited efforts to use broadband to address health needs, including in Appalachia, "where the cancer picture is bleaker than in other rural" areas.
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Parties continued to debate a possible USF Rural Health Care (RHC) funding increase and other potential changes floated in an NPRM, in replies in docket 17-310. AT&T said it's "premature" to consider increasing the RHC's $400 million annual budget cap until the FCC "fundamentally reforms its telecom program." It said providing deep discounts to rural healthcare providers "likely" doesn't comply with law, proposing various changes. The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition said it isn't necessary to delay a funding hike until steps are taken to eliminate waste and abuse. "The Commission can take steps now to root out any problems -- such as increasing transparency in the program, publishing urban rates, and enhancing competition in the bidding process -- and simultaneously increase the funding cap to address the urgent need," SHLB said, noting healthcare groups backed its call, with some endorsing an increase to $800 million (see 1802050026). The New England Telehealth Consortium was among the others backing an increase. Alaska Communications said the FCC should "sufficiently budget" for the program to meet demand and expected growth, and rely "primarily on competitive bidding to discipline rates for competitive service markets, backstopped by reasonable rules that address market failures, increase transparency, and ensure that rural healthcare providers gain access to the lowest rates for comparable services."