For Immediate Release
Contact: Carolyn Just, 703-351-2015, [email protected]
Arlington, Va., (July 10, 2019) – NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association issued the following statement regarding today’s vote by the FCC to consider a Connected Care pilot program that would help health care providers obtain more affordable access to broadband for the delivery of telehealth services to low-income consumers and veterans.
“NTCA applauds today’s vote by the FCC to consider a Connected Care pilot program that would help health care providers obtain more affordable access to broadband for the delivery of telehealth services to low-income consumers and veterans. Through its 2017 Smart Rural Communities™ paper entitled Anticipating Economic Returns of Rural Telehealth and other initiatives, NTCA has long sought to elevate the promise of telehealth in overcoming rural health care challenges— and to highlight how secure, high-capacity broadband networks can enable better health outcomes at reduced costs. More specifically on the subject of today’s vote, NTCA has worked closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop Virtual Living Rooms℠ at which rural veterans can access VA telehealth services at no cost by leveraging NTCA member connectivity. NTCA is eager for the FCC to take further steps in this area, and we look forward to working with the FCC to ensure that low-income consumers and veterans gain access to the critical health care services they need through better connectivity.”
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