Rural Healthcare


The FCC’s Rural Health Care (RHC) program provides needed financial support for reliable, robust broadband to serve patients in rural markets. The healthcare marketplace changed dramatically and permanently due to the COVID pandemic, and the RHC program needs systematic improvements to accommodate the surge in telemedicine.


SHLB's Advocacy

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Petition for Limited Waiver of the Rural Health Care Invoice Filing Deadline WC Docket No. 02-60 Letter of Support


December 22, 2023 

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SHLB - Ex Parte - Draft Rural Health Care Order


December 5, 2023

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SHLB Reply Comments - Promoting Telehealth in Rural America - Second FNPRM

May 22, 2023

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SHLB Comments before the FCC in the Matter of Promoting Telehealth in Rural America

April 24, 2023

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SHLB Ex Parte - RHC Program Draft Order and FNPRM (Starks, Carr, & Simington Offices)

January 19, 2023

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Ex parte letter to the FCC regarding the RHC FNPRM
June 2, 2022
 

The SHLB Coalition wrote to the FCC reiterating the Rural Health Care program suggestions made in SHLB's recent comments and reply comments.

 

Download the Letter 

 

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Reply comments to the FCC regarding the RHC FNPRM
May 16, 2022
 

In our reply comments, the SHLB Coalition asked the FCC to increase the RHC program cap, eliminate or reform the internal cap, expand the definition of rurality, and other actions that would improve the program.

 

Download the Comments

 

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Comments on the FNPRM about Rural Health Care Program rules

April 14, 2022

 

The SHLB Coalition submitted comments in response to the FCC's Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the Rural Health Care Program. The comments include recommendations about the Telecom Program rates database, defining rurality, and reforming the internal and overall cap.

 

 

Download the Comments

 

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Ex Parte letter to the FCC re: FNPRM deadline extension
March 22, 2022
 

The SHLB Coalition wrote to the FCC requesting that it publish non-confidential RHC program funding demand data. SHLB also asked that the FCC extend the deadline to file comments for the recent FNPRM.

 

 

Download the Letter

 

 

View Archived Documents →    


Key Documents

March 2020
FCC ORDER
Promoting Telehealth for Low-Income Consumers / COVID-19 Telehealth Program

 

October 2019
FCC ORDER
Promoting Telehealth in Rural America