In 1997, the Commission established the Rural Health Care support mechanism, which provides universal servcie support to ensure that rural health care providers pay no more than their urban counterparts for their telecommunications needs and Internet access in the provision of health care services. In resposne to underutilization of the current program, the Commission established a Pilot Program and selected 69 participants. The Pilot Program assits public and non-profit helath care providers build state and region-wide broadband networks dedicated to health care.
A 2004 Executive Order called for the development and implementation of a national interoperable health information technology infrastructure. A key element of this plan is the National Health Information Network (NHIN). Pursuant to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the FCC adopted the current Rural Health Care (RHC) support mechanism, which provides universal service support to ensure that RHC providers pay no more than their urban counterparts for their telecommunications needs in the provision of health care services. Despite the FCC Âs efforts to increase the utility of the RHC support mechanism, the program has yet to fully achieve the benefits intended by the statute and the FCC.
In response to the need for broadband facilities to support telehealth services in rural America, which imperils execution of the PresidentÂs 2004 Executive Order, on Nov. 19, 2007, the FCC issued the 2007 Pilot Program Selection Order. This Order selected 69 participants for the universal service RHC Pilot Program, which was originally established by the FCC in September 2006. The 69 participants represent 42 states and 3 U.S. territories and will be eligible for approximately $417 million in universal service support over three funding commitment years. Among other things, selected participants will be eligible for funding to support up to 85% of the costs associated with the construction of state or regional broadband health care networks, the advanced telecommunications and information services provided over those networks, and of the costs of connecting to Internet2, National LambdaRail, or the public internet.
In an effort to facilitate inter-agency awareness and to identify areas for possible collaboration and shared expertise for the Pilot Program, the FCC has coordinated with HHS.
In light of the importance of the advancement of a health information technology infrastructure to the public interest, the FCC has sought to implement the Pilot Program within an aggressive timeframe. Doing so is crucial given the consumer and public safety benefits of deploying broadband infrastructure necessary to support innovative telehealth and, in particular, telemedicine services to those areas of the country where the need for those benefits is most acute. Timely construction of broadband networks allows patients in rural areas to access critically needed medical specialists in variety of practices, including cardiology, pediatrics, and radiology, without traveling long distances. The need for timely implementation of the Pilot Program is also evidenced in the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, P.L. 109-417, § 202 (2006), codified at 42 U.S.C. § 247d-4(f)(1)(B), in which Congress recognized the FCC Âs pilot program as a first step for health care networks that will be expanded in the future. The 2007 Pilot Program Selection Order, also provides funding to enable broadband networks to further the goals of the NHIN initiative by requiring selected participants, where feasible, to provide access to HHS and CDC instances of public health emergencies and to use their funding in a manner consistent HHSÂs health information technology initiatives.
OMB emergency approval is vital to timely implementation of the critical networks to advance telemedicine to rural areas and to enhance the health care communityÂs ability to provide a rapid and coordinated response in the event of a public health crisis. Otherwise, the start of deployment proposed by selected Pilot Program participants will be further delayed. Use of normal clearance procedures likely would stall the development of health information technology networks and further delay the NHIN initiatives discussed in the 2007 Pilot Program Selection Order.
The increased information collections are a result of participation in the Rural Health Care Pilot Program. Specifically, the Rural Health Care Pilot Program Selection Order:
(1) increases the number of respondents who will file Form 465, 466, 466-A, and 467;
(2) adds new information collection requirements; and
(3) makes other modifications as specifically noted.
$0
No
No
Uncollected
Uncollected
Uncollected
Uncollected
Jennifer Prime 2024182403
Reginfo record details
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form FCC Form 465 Universal Service - Health Care Providers Universal Service Program
RHCPP Emergency Justification Request OMD letter 12-10-07.doc
form-467-FY2007-instructions.pdf
Universal Service - Health Care Providers Universal Service Program