FCC: Rural Health Care Pilot Program
Text of a Nov. 21, 2006 press release from the FCC, announcing its launch of a "Rural Health Care Pilot Program", with a link to its web site and additional information.
For Immediate
Release:
News Media Contact:
November 21,
2006
Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418-0511
e-mail: [email protected]
FCC LAUNCHES “RURAL HEALTH CARE PILOT PROGRAM” WEBSITE
Pilot Funding Program Will Facilitate Creation of Nationwide
Broadband Healthcare Network
Washington, DC -- The FCC has launched a website (http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/rural/rhcp.html) that
provides a consolidated source of information about the FCC’s recently
announced Rural Health Care Pilot Program. The website includes
the Order adopting the pilot program and the accompanying news release,
a PDF slide presentation giving an overview of the program, and
frequently asked questions (FAQs), The website will be updated
periodically, as appropriate.
The FCC’s pilot program is an innovative, enhanced
funding initiative intended to help public and non-profit health care
providers construct state- and region-wide broadband networks to
provide telehealth and telemedicine services throughout the nation. The
program will fund up to 85% of the costs of constructing those
networks, as well as the costs of advanced telecommunications and
information services that will ride over these networks. If selected,
up to 85% of the cost of connecting to Internet2, a dedicated
nationwide backbone, may also be funded by the pilot program.
Connection to Internet 2 is not required, but may be requested by the
applicants.
Applications for the program must be filed no
later than 30 days after the Commission receives approval from the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of the information collection
requirements contained in the FCC’s Order announcing the pilot
program. (The Paperwork Reduction Act collection requirements
were published in the Federal Register on October 18, 2006.) The
FCC will issue a Public Notice announcing OMB approval once that has
occurred.
- FCC -
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Contact: Robert Somers at
(202) 418-1483.
Wireline Competition Bureau Contact: Erika Olsen at (202)
418-2868.