Deploying Broadband Telehealth Networks in Rural and Underserved Communities

DEPLOYING BROADBAND TELEHEALTH NETWORKS IN RURAL AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin announced a comprehensive proposal to fund a $400 million Rural Health Care Pilot Program (RHCPP) that would expand access to health care to America's rural and underserved communities through the creation of broadband telehealth networks in 42 states and three U.S. territories. As part of today's announcement, Chairman Martin joined U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael O. Leavitt at a meeting of the American Health Information Community in Chicago to highlight key points of his rural health care proposal. Under this initiative, broadband deployment will support the efficient delivery of health care to patients through telemedicine. Facilitating telemedicine programs can reduce costs and travel time for consumers, help decrease medical errors, and enable health care providers to quickly share critical patient-care information electronically.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-278125A1.doc

* Martin's remarks
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-278126A1.doc

* Slides
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-278126A2.pdf