American Telemedicine Association takes FCC to task for delays in rural telehealth programs

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The American Telemedicine Association is unhappy with the government’s efforts – or lack thereof – to bring telehealth to rural America.

Jonathan D. Linkous, chief executive officer of the Washington, D.C.-based advocacy organization, fired off a letter this week to Julius Genachowski, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, criticizing the FCC’s inaction on a number of telehealth-related issues, including the National Broadband Plan, the Universal Support Mechanism for Rural Healthcare and a General Accounting Office report that criticized the FCC’s handling of the Rural Health Care Program. “Despite the promises, the rhetoric and the official criticism, a great silence has settled over the commission regarding these issues,” Linkous’ letter stated. “Now, we also note the departure of every key professional staff from the commission involved in healthcare policy. It is deeply troubling to see that the commission is allotting practically no resources with no apparent plans to address the proposed rulemaking, the approved broadband plan or to respond to the GAO report.”


American Telemedicine Association takes FCC to task for delays in rural telehealth programs