FCC Added $198 Million To Its Rural Healthcare Program

The Federal Communications Commission has added $198 million to its rural healthcare program, which helps providers deploy broadband healthcare networks, the agency said Tuesday. The unused funds from prior years are being carried forward to 2020. With the current funding cap at about $600 million, the total available for provider requests will be more than $800 million — the most in the program's history. In a statement, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai noted telehealth funding is especially important as the nation fights COVID-19 and use of virtual visits has skyrocketed. "Today's announcement speaks to the FCC's commitment to ensuring that rural health care providers can continue to serve their communities during the difficult time and well into the future. As states in the South and West become new COVID-19 hotspots, rural providers face great challenges in preparing for patient surges while also maintaining the ability to meet other needs of patients in their communities.