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Rural Health
News by Topic: Broadband

Dec 5, 2023 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comment on a new computer matching program between the Federal Communications Commission, the Universal Service Administrative Company, and Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Community Based Services, to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). These programs are designed to facilitate and support access to affordable broadband services for low-income consumers and families. Comments are due by January 4, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 5, 2023 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comment on a new computer matching program between the Federal Communications Commission, the Universal Service Administrative Company, and the Minnesota Department of Human Services to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). These programs are designed to facilitate and support access to affordable broadband services for low-income consumers and families. Comments are due by January 4, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 5, 2023 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comment on a new computer matching program between the Federal Communications Commission, the Universal Service Administrative Company, and the New Mexico Human Services Department to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). These programs are designed to facilitate and support access to affordable broadband services for low-income consumers and families. Comments are due by January 4, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 1, 2023 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) revising an information collection regarding the Rural Health Care Program. The FCC and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will use the information to determine if entities are eligible for funding pursuant to the Rural Health Care universal service support mechanism, to determine whether entities are complying with the Commission's rules, and to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. The effective date is December 1, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 28, 2023 - Reviews data showing that disparities in affordability for broadband for rural and urban residents including a look at how the number of providers in an area impacts cost for both urban and rural areas. Discusses the affordability requirement of Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Nov 27, 2023 - Highlights the New England Telehealth Consortium (NETC) which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. NETC works to increase and maintain broadband and telehealth infrastructure for rural healthcare providers in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Discusses previous successes of NETC and future goals.
Source: Bangor Daily News
Nov 16, 2023 - Highlights a panel discussion at the National Association of Counties, Rural Action Caucus Symposium in Greenbrier County, W.V. focused on rural challenges with workforce development, noting the impacts of limited broadband access, healthcare access, housing, and more.
Source: National Association of Counties
Nov 14, 2023 - A new collaboration across university departments at Purdue University will raise awareness of broadband access and adoption resources throughout Indiana. Discusses the impact of the collaboration on rural areas.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Nov 2, 2023 - A roundtable will be convened on November 17th to discuss broadband as a social determinant of health and the potential for improving maternal health outcomes. The roundtable will be both in person and streamed online and is available to the public. Invited stakeholders include policymakers, public health experts, clinicians, community organizations, and more.
Source: Federal Communications Commission
Nov 2, 2023 - Part 3 of a documentary highlighting telehealth as a solution to healthcare access challenges, particularly for gender affirming care and maternal healthcare. Discusses the impacts of COVID on telehealth practice. Discusses barriers to telehealth such as broadband access and comfort with technology. Captions are available in the video player.
Source: STAT News