Telehealth
Chairman Pai Remarks at Veterans Affairs Telehealth Summit
The Department of Veterans Affairs has been aggressively implementing telehealth services. And at the Federal Communications Commission, we’ve been working to seize the opportunities of connected health for all Americans, including veterans. So it’s fitting that we gather this morning to reaffirm our shared belief that telemedicine can improve the quality of health care that our veterans receive. We can’t realize the promise of telehealth without connectivity. This is one of the reasons that, since day one as FCC Chairman, my top priority has been closing the digital divide.
Rural Health Care (RHC) Program participants have been asking a lot of questions over the last few months - both about the uncertain future of the program and about FY2018 funding requests. But the biggest question of all for FY2018 applicants is simply, "When will I know if my funding has been approved?"
Sen Sullivan Still Blocking FCC Nominations Despite Time with Pai
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai, flanked by advisers, spent roughly two hours in Sen. Dan Sullivan’s office, but it wasn’t enough to satisfy the concerns that have prompted Sen Sullivan (R-AK) to block FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr’s nomination to a full term. "I’m not lifting it right now,” said Sen Sullivan after the meeting. He said more follow-up is necessary and that he will make that decision about Commissioner Carr later. Sen Sullivan has longstanding concerns about the flow of subsidies in the FCC’s rural health care program.
USDA Announces Funding to Increase Access to Education, Workforce Training and Health Care Opportunities in Rural Communities
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that the US Department of Agriculture is awarding grants for 128 projects to increase access to job training, educational and health care services in rural areas. USDA is awarding $39.6 million through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program. More than 4.5 million residents in 40 states and three territories will benefit from the funding. Investments include:
Welcome & Intros: Congressman Rick Boucher, IIA Honorary Chairman
SESSION 1: Policy Prescription to Advance Telemedicine
Panel moderated by Dr. Karen Rheuban, Medical Director, Office of Telemedicine and Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Health
A conference call open to all Tribal governments, members and organizations to provide an overview of and answer questions about a Notice of Inquiry seeking comment on creating an experimental “Connected Care Pilot Program” to support the delivery of telehealth services to low-income Americans through universal service fund support.
Broadband connectivity is critical for many reasons, including access to quality healthcare. From remote patient monitoring to mobile health applications accessed via smartphones, tablets, or other devices, advances in telemedicine and telehealth technologies have impacted patient care and health outcomes far away from hospitals and doctors’ offices. Connected-care services significantly reduce economic and administrative costs for patients and healthcare providers.
3 Steps to Advancing Telehealth Networks
Telehealth vendors have the frustrating experience of seeing their best efforts to serve rural populations thwarted by pathetic broadband connections. Or worse, no broadband at all. At least vendors and healthcare facilities have the benefit of serving urban areas because there, the broadband is always good. Or is it? Urban broadband availability is still a problem. Cities suffer from the legacy of broadband’s origins. Three steps to advancing telehealth networks:
Chairman Pai Discusses FCC's Telehealth Work at Boston Conference
I'd like to share what we are doing at the Federal Communications Commission to seize the opportunities of connected health.
FCC Seeks Comment on Promoting Broadband Service for Veterans
In this Public Notice, as required by the RAY BAUM’S Act of 2018, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks information and data for the Federal Communications Commission’s report on promoting broadband Internet access service for veterans. Section 504 of the RAY BAUM’S Act of 2018 directs the Commission to, within one year, “submit to Congress a report on promoting broadband Internet access service for veterans, in particular low income veterans and veterans residing in rural areas” and “provide the public with notice and an opportunity to comment” in preparing the report.