FCC SEEKS COMMENT ON PROPOSED $100 MILLION CONNECTED CARE PILOT PROGRAM

FCC Proposes $100 Million Connected Care Pilot Telehealth Program
The Commission is seeking comment on a proposed $100 million Connected Care Pilot Program that would support bringing telehealth services directly to low-income patients and veterans

Media Contact:
Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0509
mark.wigfield@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC SEEKS COMMENT ON PROPOSED $100 MILLION CONNECTED CARE PILOT PROGRAM
Three-Year Pilot Would Bring Telehealth Services to Low-Income Patients, Veterans and Areas Lacking Adequate Health Care
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WASHINGTON, July 10, 2019—The Federal Communications Commission is proposing to establish a three-year, $100 million Connected Care Pilot program that would support bringing telehealth services directly to low-income patients and veterans.

The proposed Connected Care Pilot would provide an 85% discount on connectivity for broadband-enabled telehealth services that connect patients directly to their doctors and are used to treat a wide range of health conditions.  These services can facilitate the effective treatment of chronic conditions outside of the doctor’s office, at significant savings for patients and health care providers.

The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) adopted by the Commission today seeks comment on testing a new program, using the FCC’s existing Rural Health Care Program authority, that would defray the costs of purchasing broadband Internet access service necessary for providing connected care services directly to low-income patients and veterans.

The NPRM seeks comment on the appropriate budget, duration, and structure of the Pilot, along with other issues, including the following:

· Funding the Pilot program separately so it would have no impact on the budgets of the four existing Universal Service Programs—Lifeline, Rural Health Care, E-Rate, and High-Cost (rural broadband support)
· Who should be eligible to participate in the Pilot, including the types of eligible health care providers and broadband service providers
· Limiting the Pilot program to health care providers serving areas with a shortage of health care professionals or with lower-income residents
· Targeting support toward Tribal lands, rural areas, and veteran populations, for which there are well-documented health care disparities
· Targeting support toward health conditions that have risen to crisis levels or affect significant numbers of Americans, such as opioid dependency, diabetes, heart disease, mental health conditions, and high-risk pregnancy

Data gathered through the Pilot program would be used to analyze the possible benefits that support of broadband service for connected care may bring.

Action by the Commission July 10, 2019 by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 19-64).  Chairman Pai, Commissioners O’Rielly, Carr, Rosenworcel, and Starks approving and issuing separate statements.

WC Docket No. 18-213

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Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / TTY: (888) 835-5322 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).

5G In The USA Will Go To Where The Money Is First.

When FCC approved Sprint - T-Mobile merger, one big argument to promote the deal of 5G deployment bringing high-speed broadband service to rural populations in the US. The FCC and others proclaim that 5G will bring broadband to the masses outside metropolitan areas. Ajit Pai can try as he may to make this look sweet but it is not going to happen without substantial government subsidies. The truth is that rural areas are at the bottom of the list of priorities for every major communications carrier. 
It no wonder that the money is in the areas with densest populations, the dark-blue areas in this US sensus map will be served first. Early 5G trials are going on these places. The light-green areas will wait something like 10 years or more. The rest is in between
The technology is new and the carriers will spend tens of billions per year building out 5G infrastructure. Naturally, they will prioritize locations that will yield the best returns. Revenue per square mile is the metric to watch. My $50 per month for 5G and 10% penetration rates are very low to make a point that even if it's cheap, there is big money in dense areas.
This should give you some indication;

ZDNET