FCC Public Notice Requests Comments On Broadband-Enabled Health Care Solutions And Advanced Technologies

Connect2Health^FCC Task Force Seeks Data and Information on Actions to Accelerate Adoption and Accessibility

The Federal Communications Commission recently released a Public Notice seeking comments, data, and information on a broad range of regulatory, policy, technical and infrastructure issues related to the emerging broadband-enabled health and care ecosystem.

Adopted unanimously, the Public Notice is titled FCC Seeks Comment and Data on Actions To Accelerate Adoption and Accessibility of Broadband-Enabled Health Care Solutions and Advanced Technologies. The FCC’s Connect2Health^FCC Task Force expects to use this information, along with previously collected data, to identify actions that the Commission can take to promote this important goal.

Broadband networks are increasingly important to our national well-being and everyday lives. As such, we must maximize their availability and ensure that all Americans, particularly those in rural and other underserved areas of the country, can take advantage of the variety of services that broadband enables, including 21st century health care.

Specific topics for comment include:

• Promoting effective policy and regulatory solutions that encourage broadband adoption and promote health IT;
• Identifying regulatory barriers (and incentives) to the deployment of RF-enabled health care tools;
• Assessing the spectrum and wireless infrastructure needs for the future of health care in the United States;
• Strengthening the nation’s telehealth infrastructure through the FCC’s Rural Health Care (RHC) Program and other initiatives;
• Raising consumer awareness about the value proposition of broadband in the health care sector and its potential for addressing health care disparities;
• Fostering the development of broadband-enabled health technologies that are designed to be fully accessible to people with disabilities;
• Highlighting effective telehealth projects, broadband-enabled health technologies, and mHealth applications across the country and abroad—to identify lessons learned, best practices, and regulatory challenges; and
• Engaging a diverse array of traditional and non-traditional stakeholders to identify emerging issues and opportunities in the broadband health space.

Action taken on April 21, 2017: By Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioners Mignon L. Clyburn and Michael O’Rielly. (FCC 17-46)

A copy of today’s Public Notice: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-seeks-comment-accelerating-broadband-health-tech-availability

For more information, visit www.fcc.gov/health/public-notice