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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Broadband

May 25, 2023 - Describes a partnership between rural area Georgia churches and the University of Georgia to put telehealth hubs in the churches. Highlights challenges faced such as broadband access in the most remote churches.
Source: UGA Today
May 25, 2023 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) confirming the January 30, 2023, final rule. This final rule makes updates to the Rural eConnectivity Program (ReConnect Program) regulation to remove outdated requirements to ensure that requirements are clear, accurately presented, and in compliance with Federal reporting requirements. This rule is effective May 1, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
May 24, 2023 - Doctors offered ideas for improving health care in remote areas of Pennsylvania during a meeting of the Pennsylvania House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee on May 18 in Pittsburgh. Suggestions included increasing incentives, bolstering Medicaid, expanding use of community health workers, finding uses for disused hospitals, and enhancing broadband access.
Source: Lancaster Farming
May 24, 2023 - About 60,000 Alaskans lack broadband access entirely, while 200,000 have limited access to broadband. Alaska Tribal Spectrum, a tribally-owned nonprofit, is working to bring high-speed internet and cell reception to rural Alaska. With greater access to high-speed internet, services like telehealth could improve care in rural regions.
Source: High Country News
May 23, 2023 - The Federal Communications Commission will hold a virtual meeting of the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) on June 26, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern. The CSRIC will provide recommendations to the FCC to improve the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications systems. This will be the final meeting of CSRIC under the current charter.
Source: Federal Register
May 17, 2023 - U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas and Sen. Welch of Vermont introduced the ReConnect Rural America Act, legislation that helps to promote rural communities' access to high-speed broadband. Lack of accessibility to internet service leaves community members with less access to good-paying jobs, isolation from markets, and lack of healthcare provider technologies.
Source: Office of Senator Roger Marshall
May 10, 2023 - An HHS fact sheet outlining what is and is not changing around telehealth as the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ends, including information on coverage of services. Provides guidance around licensure portability, a measure intended to increase access to healthcare for rural and underserved communities. Also outlines broadband initiatives that increase access to healthcare and reduce disparities.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
May 9, 2023 - The Reforming Broadband Connectivity Act, a bipartisan bill to improve the availability of broadband internet, will be heard before the Senate Commerce Committee 2 years after being introduced. The bill will require the FCC to modernize the Universal Service Fund which is primarily used to expand telephone service. Lawmakers want the fund to include broadband service to benefit rural areas, low-income households, and health services.
Source: The Hill
Apr 28, 2023 - Summary of an interview describing the impact of the digital divide on rural healthcare, particularly as it relates to access to healthcare. University of Cincinnati epidemiologist Diego Cuadros was interviewed by the podcast Cincinnati Edition to discuss his research. Telehealth is named as a possible solution to some health disparities between rural and urban communities. Also highlights a $73 million investment by the federal government to make affordable high-speed internet available to more Americans.
Source: University of Cincinnati News
Apr 23, 2023 - Describes a program between the Champaign County Farm Bureau and the Carle Illinois School of Medicine in Urbana to incorporate agriculture specific health and safety issues into the curriculum. Students take field trips to farms and then present on issues and potential solutions. Discusses broadband problems, physical injuries, mental health, and access to healthcare.
Source: Jacksonville Journal-Courier
Apr 21, 2023 - Notice from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) announcing a public meeting of the FirstNet Authority Board and Board Committees on May 3, 2023, from 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Mountain. Agenda items are being finalized and will be published on the FirstNet Authority website. Public attendance will be available online only.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 19, 2023 - Announces an order from the Federal Communications Commission to continue work enhancing mobile and fixed voice and broadband services in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that were damaged by Hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017.
Source: Federal Communications Commission
Apr 19, 2023 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is accepting applications for the Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) for fiscal year (FY) 2023. Broadband Technical Assistance provides competitive cooperative agreement funding to eligible entities to receive or deliver broadband technical assistance and training that promotes the expansion of broadband into rural areas. Applications are due by June 20, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 19, 2023 - Describes issues in rural and tribal America stemming from a lack of broadband access. Highlights efforts by Rural LISC and local leaders, governments, and nonprofits in Alabama, Mississippi, and Virginia to enhance broadband coverage in their communities.
Source: Rural LISC
Apr 18, 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 U.S. Department of Education to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP, formerly known as the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, is designed to facilitate access to affordable broadband services for families. Comments are due by May 18, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 17, 2023 - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of $20 million to deliver broadband technical assistance resources for rural communities, and to support the development and expansion of broadband cooperatives.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Apr 11, 2023 - Notice of final order from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) summarizing the March 15, 2023, Fifth Report and Order regarding the Affordable Connectivity Program. The Report and Order directs the FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau to offer an additional funding opportunity of up to $10 million for the National Competitive Outreach Grant Program (NCOP) and the Tribal Competitive Outreach Grant Program (TCOP), which are components of the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program. This notice is effective April 11, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 10, 2023 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) making corrections to the March 23, 2023, final rule. Corrections are effective April 10, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 6, 2023 - Notice from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of four virtual listening sessions on the Digital Equity Act Request for Comment. The listening sessions will be held on throughout April and are designed to inform the development of the State Digital Equity Capacity and State Digital Equity Competitive grant programs. The goal of these programs is to promote the adoption and meaningful use of the internet across covered populations, including low-income individuals, aging individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, racial and ethnic minorities, and rural residents, among others. Meeting details will be posted on the Internet For All website.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 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 Florida Department of Children and Families Office of Economic Self Sufficiency to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP, formerly known as the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, is designed to facilitate access to affordable broadband services for families. Comments are due by May 5, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 4, 2023 - A new study from the University of Cincinnati found that although the rise in technology use benefits many aspects of healthcare delivery, telehealth access disparities are likely to continue in rural areas due to limited resources and weaker internet access. Researchers found that access to high-speed internet was highly inconsistent across the country.
Source: mHealthIntelligence
Mar 30, 2023 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposing a new system of records regarding the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), which administers the Universal Service Fund (USF) programs and certain programs funded by Congressional appropriations. The system of records contains information about individuals who are customers, participants, and stakeholders of the programs who submit complaints and requests for assistance to USAC to address issues with their program participation. The system of records is effective March 30, 2023. Comments are due by May 1, 2023.
Source: Federal Register