The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced it will seek $100 million in funding to establish a Connected Care Pilot Program to support telehealth for low-income Americans, especially those living in rural areas and veterans. In the announcement, Sen. John Thune was acknowledged by FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr for his support and leadership in urging the FCC to take additional steps to support telehealth.
The FCC will vote at its August meeting on a notice seeking comments on the plan, which calls for:
- Budgeting $100 million in Universal Service Fund support.
- Targeting low-income patients, including those eligible for Medicaid or veterans receiving cost-free medical care.
- Supporting a limited number of projects over a two- or three-year period with controls in place to measure and verify benefits, costs and savings.
