There are a number of health information technology (health IT) applications that offer promising ways to use broadband and other advanced communications to promote better health outcomes and more efficient delivery of care. Health IT applications include, but are not limited to, electronic health records (EHRs), remote patient monitoring, and real-time video consultations. Broad use of health IT has the potential to improve population health, expand access to affordable care, increase the efficiency of care provision, reduce unnecessary healthcare costs, prevent medical errors, increase administrative efficiencies and decrease paperwork. The Federal Communications Commission seeks tailored comment on how advanced infrastructure and services could help achieve efficient implementation of health IT applications. The FCC wants to understand gaps between current connectivity infrastructure and the connectivity requirements for various health IT applications across the healthcare ecosystem. Included in this notice are questions about the universal service rural health care support mechanism and the rural health care pilot program. Comments are due December 4.
