Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Universal Service Fund - Rural Health Care Program
The Rural Health Care Program provides funding to eligible health care providers (HCPs) for telecommunications and broadband services necessary for the provision of health care. The Rural Health Care Program is made up of two programs: the Healthcare Connect Fund and the Telecommunications Program. More information on the Rural Health Care Program.
USDA Distance Learning & Telemedicine
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine program helps rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. For example, this program can link teachers and medical service providers in one area to students and patients in another. Awards can range from $50,000 to $1,000,000 and funds may be used for audio, video, and interactive video equipment; computer hardware, network components, and software; acquisition of instructional programming; acquisition of technical assistance and instruction for using eligible equipment; and broadband facilities that support distant learning or telemedicine. More information on the Distance Learning & Telemedicine program.
The Rural Health Care Program provides funding to eligible health care providers (HCPs) for telecommunications and broadband services necessary for the provision of health care. The Rural Health Care Program is made up of two programs: the Healthcare Connect Fund and the Telecommunications Program. More information on the Rural Health Care Program.
- Healthcare Connect Fund: The Healthcare Connect Fund provides a 65% discount on eligible broadband connectivity expenses for eligible rural HCPs. Individual health care providers or a consortium, i.e., a group of HCPs that can be both rural and non-rural are eligible to apply. More information. FCC Healthcare Connect Fund FAQ.
- Telecommunications Program: The Telecommunications Program provides reduced rates to rural HCPs for telecommunications and voice services for telemedicine and telehealth. Eligible services are discounted at the difference in cost between urban and rural areas in your state. More information.
- COVID-19 Telehealth Program: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 allocated $249 million to support rural health care providers access to broadband for services that can include, telemedicine, exchange of electronic health records, collection of data through Health Information Exchanges, exchange of large image files (e.g., X-ray, MRIs, and CAT scans), and the use of real-time and delayed video conferencing for a wide range consultation, training, and other health care purposes. More information.
USDA Distance Learning & Telemedicine
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine program helps rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. For example, this program can link teachers and medical service providers in one area to students and patients in another. Awards can range from $50,000 to $1,000,000 and funds may be used for audio, video, and interactive video equipment; computer hardware, network components, and software; acquisition of instructional programming; acquisition of technical assistance and instruction for using eligible equipment; and broadband facilities that support distant learning or telemedicine. More information on the Distance Learning & Telemedicine program.
Health Care Facilities and Percentage of Households without Broadband
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