Rural Health
News by Topic: Technology for health and human services
FCC: Connect America Fund
Federal Register
Dec 9, 2019 - The Federal Communications Commission has reviewed performance measures for recipients of Connect America Fund support to ensure that the standards are balanced between the effective use of funds while also allowing flexibility for providers deploying broadband networks. The performance measures are effective January 8, 2020.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 9, 2019 - Reminder from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that the 2019 Promoting Interoperability Hardship and Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exceptions applications are due December 31, 2019.
Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Dec 4, 2019 - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai announces his intent to establish the 5G Fund, in which $9 billion of Universal Service Fund support would go towards deploying 5G wireless service in rural communities. The fund intends to bridge the information gap in rural and urban areas of America.
Source: Federal Communications Commission
HHS: Health Information Technology Advisory Committee 2020 Schedule
Federal Register
Dec 3, 2019 - The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) announces the dates for public meetings of the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC) to be held during the 2020 calendar year.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 3, 2019 - A small town in rural Kansas is utilizing their high-speed fiber-optic cable to bring Internet-based jobs to the region and improve the economic well-being of its residents. The broadband access has also allowed them to open a telemedicine office through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and helped create more educational opportunities.
Source: The New Yorker
Dec 2, 2019 - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announces the opening of the Rural Tribal Priority Window that will provide eligible Tribes with the opportunity to apply for unassigned 2.5 GHz spectrum in their communities. The Rural Tribal Priority Window will be open February 3, 2020 to August 3, 2020.
Source: Federal Communications Commission
Dec 2, 2019 - Telemedicine has expanded its way into Indiana's hospitals, clinics, and schools, but rural homes face barriers to implementation due to poor internet access and a lack of insurance reimbursement. Discusses the proposed Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act that aims to make telemedicine more affordable and accessible.
Source: Tribune Star
CDC: Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review
Federal Register
Nov 27, 2019 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the extension of a comment request on an information collection titled National Electronic Health Records Survey (NEHRS). NEHRS will be used to collect data on office-based physicians' adoption and use of electronic health record systems, practice information, patient engagement, prescription of controlled substances, use of health information exchange, and documentation and burden associated with medical record systems. Comments are now due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 25, 2019 - Opinion piece discussing the importance of modernizing IT infrastructure in rural areas so there is equal access to online healthcare services, such as telehealth. Highlights funding programs that have contributed to broadband expansion in rural America and addresses challenges to closing the gap.
Source: Fierce Healthcare
Nov 25, 2019 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces its investment of $5.13 million in two high-speed broadband infrastructure projects in Utah and Colorado. The projects will focus on providing communication infrastructure in rural areas of the states as part of USDA's ReConnect Pilot Program.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture