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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Broadband

Roundtable Discussion on "Building Native America Together: Infrastructure Innovation and Improvements for the New Administration and Indian Country."
Provides a webinar recording of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), the House Committee on Natural Resources, and participating panelists, discussing infrastructure needs in Indian country. Focuses on healthcare, education, economic development, broadband, and other infrastructure needs.
Date: 03/2017
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
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Critical Need Counties in Broadband & Health - Rural 2017
Identifies counties with a critical need related to both broadband access and health, based on data related to broadband access, Internet adoption, diabetes, and obesity. Only counties with a majority of the population living in rural areas and a total population equal to or exceeding 15,000, the median population for rural counties were considered for inclusion.
Date: 2017
Sponsoring organization: Federal Communications Commission
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Report to Congress: E-health and Telemedicine
Reports the state of e-health and telemedicine after the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Includes current policy challenges, discussion of federal level telehealth activity, and a legislative proposal for FY17.
Date: 08/2016
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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The Economic Impact of Rural Broadband
Provides an estimate of the direct and indirect economic activities of the rural broadband industry on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and their effect on other rural industries, including healthcare.
Date: 04/2016
Sponsoring organization: Hudson Institute
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Tribal Internet Access: Increased Federal Coordination and Performance Measurement Needed
Interviews officials from 21 tribal communities and 6 service providers to understand perspectives on high-speed Internet access and barriers within remote tribal communities. Highlights the importance of high-speed Internet for rural healthcare facilities to support telemedicine.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2016
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Independence, Technology, and Connection in Older Age
Explores a wide range of technologies that promote continued independence and productivity for older Americans, including telehealth services for people in rural and underserved areas. Addresses lack of access to broadband or Internet connection in many rural areas.
Date: 03/2016
Sponsoring organization: President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
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Telecommunications: Projects and Policies Related to Deploying Broadband in Unserved and Underserved Areas
Shares options for broadband deployment in unserved and underserved areas. Identifies alternative approaches to expanding rural broadband and factors to consider when planning a broadband project. Identifies economic, legal, and policy issues. Describes FCC efforts to foster broadband deployment in unserved areas. Appendix includes brief case studies.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2014
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Wireline Competition Bureau Evaluation of Rural Health Care Pilot Program: Staff Report
Discusses the Rural Health Care Pilot Program which has helped healthcare providers obtain broadband capability to implement telemedicine and telehealth applications.
Date: 08/2012
Sponsoring organization: Federal Communications Commission
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Bringing Broadband to Rural America: Update to Report on a Rural Broadband Strategy
Update to the 2009 Rural Broadband Report describing broadband deployment and adoption in rural areas. Discusses telecommunications needs of rural healthcare providers.
Date: 06/2011
Sponsoring organization: Federal Communications Commission
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Telecommunications: FCC's Performance Management Weaknesses Could Jeopardize Proposed Reforms of the Rural Health Care Program
Evaluates the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) management of the Rural Health Care Program. Focuses on how well the program is addressing the needs of rural healthcare providers, the impact of the FCC's pilot program design and implementation, and the FCC's performance goals and measures.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 11/2010
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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