“Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai circulated a draft order for implementing a $200 million telehealth program in line with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which President Trump signed into law Friday.”
“This could help free up resources in brick and mortar facilities for treating those infected by the novel coronavirus and reduce its spread by keeping potentially infected persons at home, senior FCC officials said on a call with reporters Monday…”
“The FCC hopes to start distributing awards within the month for projects that would help patients receive health services remotely under the COVID-19 program.”
“Prospective applicants must be associated with public or nonprofit institutions in order to be eligible for the funding, officials said. Appropriate health care providers would include entities such as teaching hospitals and medical schools, community health centers providing health care to immigrants, and skilled nursing facilities. Consortia of health care providers where one or more members are public or not-for-profit would also be eligible.”
“Also in the draft order is final language for a pilot program that would make $100 million available for telehealth projects from the Universal Service Fund—money collected from fees on consumers’ phone bills to expand broadband coverage to underserved communities. The connected care pilot would aim to help low-income Americans and veterans…”
“The senior FCC officials shared details on both the COVID-19 program and the pilot project, noting some key differences between the two initiatives…”
“The pilot program, officials said, will target funding toward projects that are primarily focused on treating public health epidemics, opioid dependency, mental health conditions, high-risk pregnancy, or chronic or recurring conditions that typically require at least several months to treat, including but not limited to diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, heart disease and stroke recovery…” Read the full article here.
Source: FCC’s Telehealth Plans Reach Beyond COVID-19 Stimulus Bill Provision – By Mariam Baksh, March 31, 2020. Nextgov.
