Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Broadband
Broadband Programs: Agencies Need to Further Improve Their Data Quality and Coordination Efforts
Examines federal agencies' use of broadband availability information and the extent to which the Federal Communications Commission ensures the quality of data in its National Broadband Map. Explores the extent to which agencies' coordination of broadband funding programs aligns with leading practices for interagency collaboration, among other issues. Compares the FCC's practices for ensuring the quality of information in its National Broadband Map against relevant federal internal control standards.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Examines federal agencies' use of broadband availability information and the extent to which the Federal Communications Commission ensures the quality of data in its National Broadband Map. Explores the extent to which agencies' coordination of broadband funding programs aligns with leading practices for interagency collaboration, among other issues. Compares the FCC's practices for ensuring the quality of information in its National Broadband Map against relevant federal internal control standards.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Farm Bill Primer: Rural Development Title
Provides an overview of the rural development provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including provisions related to rural broadband, water and waste disposal, and business creation and economic development. Offers considerations Congress may consider in the 2025 reauthorization of the Farm Bill related to the ReConnect Program and rural health challenges.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Provides an overview of the rural development provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including provisions related to rural broadband, water and waste disposal, and business creation and economic development. Offers considerations Congress may consider in the 2025 reauthorization of the Farm Bill related to the ReConnect Program and rural health challenges.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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USDA Rural Development: Together, America Prospers
Provides an overview of USDA Rural Development's mission and investments, highlighting programs and initiatives related to rural economic development, housing, and infrastructure. Discusses quality of life and healthcare needs in rural communities.
Date: 02/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Rural Development
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Provides an overview of USDA Rural Development's mission and investments, highlighting programs and initiatives related to rural economic development, housing, and infrastructure. Discusses quality of life and healthcare needs in rural communities.
Date: 02/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Rural Development
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An Examination of the Implementation and Effectiveness of the Telehealth Broadband Pilot Program in the United States
Provides a brief overview of the Telehealth Broadband Pilot (TBP) Program, which aimed to address gaps in broadband service that limited access to telehealth services in rural and underserved communities in Alaska, Michigan, Texas, and West Virginia. Describes the development and implementation of pods that measured broadband data in the communities over time. Summarizes discussions with TBP Program staff regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the program. Includes factors for consideration in the development of future programs to measure broadband in rural communities.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
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Provides a brief overview of the Telehealth Broadband Pilot (TBP) Program, which aimed to address gaps in broadband service that limited access to telehealth services in rural and underserved communities in Alaska, Michigan, Texas, and West Virginia. Describes the development and implementation of pods that measured broadband data in the communities over time. Summarizes discussions with TBP Program staff regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the program. Includes factors for consideration in the development of future programs to measure broadband in rural communities.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
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USDA Rural Development 2024 Accomplishments in Virginia
Describes U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development projects in Virginia in 2024. Includes information about support for rural healthcare facilities, education, and workforce.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Rural Development
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Describes U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development projects in Virginia in 2024. Includes information about support for rural healthcare facilities, education, and workforce.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Rural Development
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A Summary of Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (Bead) Program Plans for the 4 Telehealth Broadband Pilot Program States
Provides a brief overview of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which aims to expand access to broadband nationwide. Examines the BEAD Program spending plans and proposals of the four states participating in the Telehealth Broadband Pilot (TBP) Program.
Author(s): Chris Charlton, Cari A. Bogulski, Hari Eswaran
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
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Provides a brief overview of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which aims to expand access to broadband nationwide. Examines the BEAD Program spending plans and proposals of the four states participating in the Telehealth Broadband Pilot (TBP) Program.
Author(s): Chris Charlton, Cari A. Bogulski, Hari Eswaran
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
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Publicly-Available Data Sets Containing Consumer-Generated Internet Speed Test Data May Leave Rural Communities Behind
Explores how well rural counties are represented in two publicly-available datasets of consumer-generated broadband speed tests: Measurement Labs (M-Lab) and Ookla for Good (Ookla).
Author(s): Cari A. Bogulski, Maysam Rabbani, Corey J. Hayes, Aysenur Betul Cengil, Hari Eswaran
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
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Explores how well rural counties are represented in two publicly-available datasets of consumer-generated broadband speed tests: Measurement Labs (M-Lab) and Ookla for Good (Ookla).
Author(s): Cari A. Bogulski, Maysam Rabbani, Corey J. Hayes, Aysenur Betul Cengil, Hari Eswaran
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
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Healthcare Stakeholder Perceptions of Broadband and Telehealth Influences in Telehealth Broadband Pilot Program Communities
Summarizes findings from interviews with healthcare stakeholders in Alaska, Michigan, Texas, and West Virginia communities served by the Telehealth Broadband Pilot (TBP) Program. Describes influences on clinic, providers and healthcare staff, and TBP Program community and patient broadband and telehealth utilization.
Author(s): Cari A. Bogulski, M. Kathryn Allison, Hannah C. McCoy, Rosario Silva, Hari Eswaran
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
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Summarizes findings from interviews with healthcare stakeholders in Alaska, Michigan, Texas, and West Virginia communities served by the Telehealth Broadband Pilot (TBP) Program. Describes influences on clinic, providers and healthcare staff, and TBP Program community and patient broadband and telehealth utilization.
Author(s): Cari A. Bogulski, M. Kathryn Allison, Hannah C. McCoy, Rosario Silva, Hari Eswaran
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
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An Evaluation of the Telehealth Broadband Pilot Program (2021–2024)
Provides an overview of the Telehealth Broadband Pilot (TBP) Program, which aimed to address gaps in broadband service that limited access to telehealth services in rural and underserved communities in Alaska, Michigan, Texas, and West Virginia. Details the development and implementation of devices that measured broadband data in the communities over time and the results of those devices. Summarizes discussions with TBP Program staff regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the program, as well as interviews with healthcare stakeholders, consumers, and technical assistance providers in TBP Program communities. Offers factors for consideration in the development of future programs to measure broadband implementation in rural communities and improve user experience. Includes summary reports by state.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
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Provides an overview of the Telehealth Broadband Pilot (TBP) Program, which aimed to address gaps in broadband service that limited access to telehealth services in rural and underserved communities in Alaska, Michigan, Texas, and West Virginia. Details the development and implementation of devices that measured broadband data in the communities over time and the results of those devices. Summarizes discussions with TBP Program staff regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the program, as well as interviews with healthcare stakeholders, consumers, and technical assistance providers in TBP Program communities. Offers factors for consideration in the development of future programs to measure broadband implementation in rural communities and improve user experience. Includes summary reports by state.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
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Consumer Perceptions of Broadband and Telehealth Across Telehealth Broadband Pilot Program Counties
Presents findings from interviews with consumers in Alaska, Michigan, Texas, and West Virginia communities served by the Telehealth Broadband Pilot Program. Describes facilitators and barriers to home broadband and telehealth adoption identified in the interviews.
Author(s): Cari A. Bogulski, Rosario Silva, Hannah C. McCoy, M. Kathryn Allison, Hari Eswaran
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
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Presents findings from interviews with consumers in Alaska, Michigan, Texas, and West Virginia communities served by the Telehealth Broadband Pilot Program. Describes facilitators and barriers to home broadband and telehealth adoption identified in the interviews.
Author(s): Cari A. Bogulski, Rosario Silva, Hannah C. McCoy, M. Kathryn Allison, Hari Eswaran
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
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