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 s 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 Presidents 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 s 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 HHSs 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 communitys 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
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