Rural Health Care Documents Archive

Daily releases, commission orders and public notices about the FCC’s Rural Health Care Program dating back to 1997.

2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
Pre 2007

2014

10/2/2014
Franciscan Skemp Waukon Clinic Order: Denied a request from Franciscan Skemp Waukon Clinic seeking review of a decision made by the Universal Service Administrative Company to deny funding under the rural health care universal service support mechanism.
Word PDF
7/23/2014
RHC Rural Areas Update Order: Updating the list of rural areas used to determine eligibility in the Rural Health Care universal service support mechanism and providing a limited waiver for participants transitioning from rural to non-rural status.
Word PDF
6/19/14
Consortium Annual Reports Waiver Order: Granted a limited, one-year waiver of the requirement that consortium lead entities in both the Healthcare Connect Fund and the Rural Health Care Pilot Program file an annual report.
Word PDF
6/19/14
Consortium Annual Reports Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Comment on Healthcare Connect Fund Annual Reports.
Word PDF
3/11/2014
IHS/White Swan Appeal Order: Denied IHS/White Swan’s request for review of a decision of the Universal Service Administrative Company under the Rural Health Care Program.
Word PDF
2/20/2014
Skilled Nursing Facility Program Public Notice: Deferral of the Skilled Nursing Facility Pilot Program pending the Commission’s consideration of healthcare related proposals in WC Docket No. 10-90.
Word PDF
1/17/2014
California Telehealth Network Public Notice: Seeks comment on a California Telehealth Network request for review of a Universal Service Administrative Company Rural Health Care program decision.
Word PDF

2013

Review of USAC Rural Health Care Decisions Public Notice: 12/6/2013
Seeks comment on requests for review by Illinois Rural HealthNet, Colorado Telehealth Network, and Oregon Health Network of Universal Service Administrative Company decisions denying Rural Health Care Program support.
Word PDF
Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation Public Notice: 11/21/2013
WCB Seeks Comment on Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) request for review of a Universal Service Administrative Company decision denying YKHC support under the Rural Health Care Program.
Word PDF
SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium Public Notice: 11/21/2013
WCB Seeks Comment on SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) request for review of a Universal Service Administrative Company decision denying SEARHC support under the Rural Health Care Program.
Word PDF
Healthcare Connect Fund Rules Public Notice: 9/12/2013
Announced effectiveness of those Healthcare Connect Fund rules associated with information collections and announced the availability of forms for applicants.
Word PDF
FCC Form 498 Public Notice: 8/19/2013
Announced the availability of the revised FCC Form 498, which enables service providers in any of the Commission’s rural health care USF programs to choose their preferred method of reimbursement for services they provide to health care providers.
Word PDF
Southcentral Foundation Public Notice: 6/13/2013
Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Southcentral Foundation’s Request for Review of a Universal Service Administrative Company Rural Health Care decision.
Word PDF
Ozark Guidance Center Public Notice: 6/13/2013
Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Ozark Guidance Center’s Request for Review of a Universal Service Administrative Company Rural Health Care decision.
Word PDF
Arkansas Department of Information Systems Public Notice: 6/13/2013
Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Arkansas Department of Information Systems’ Request for Review of a Universal Service Administrative Company Rural Health Care decision.
Word PDF
Healthcare Connect Fund Public Notice: 4/26/2013
The Wireline Competition Bureau and The Office of Managing Director Provide Collection Instructions To USAC for The Healthcare Connect Fund.
Word PDF
USTelecom Healthcare Connect Fund Order Public Notice: 4/24/2013
In this Public Notice, WCB seeks comment on USTelecom’s Petition for Reconsideration and Clarification of the Healthcare Connect Order.
Word PDF
Healthcare Connect Fund Forms Public Notice: 4/1/2013
Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the attached proposed new FCC Forms 460, 461, 462, and 463, and their accompanying instructions.
Word PDF
Form 460: Word PDF | Instructions: Word PDF
Form 461: Word PDF | Instructions: Word PDF
Form 462: Word PDF | Instructions: Word PDF
Form 463: Word PDF | Instructions: Word PDF

2012

Report and Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Commission launches the Healthcare Connect Fund to expand health care provider access to broadband and foster state and regional broadband health care networks, and creates a Skilled Nursing Facility Pilot Program. FCC 12-150(12/21/12) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft District Health Department (LMAS) seeking reversal of a USAC decision denying LMAS’s request for Funding Year 2010 rural health care support. LMAS also requests that the Commission grant it a waiver of the FCC Form 466 filing deadline for Funding Year 2010. LMAS argues that it failed to file its 2010 Form 466 due to an administrative oversight and that it did not violate any substantive rules. DA 12-1403(8/27/12) Word | PDF
Staff Report (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this Staff Report, the Wireline Competition Bureau describes the current status of the Rural Health Care Pilot Program, key benefits arising from the Pilot Program, and major lessons learned. DA 12-1306(8/13/12) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by ThedaCare Physicians-Shawano Clinic (ThedaCare) seeking reversal of a decision of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) in which USAC denied ThedaCare’s request that USAC recalculate ThedaCare’s Funding Year 2010 rural health care support based on corrected rural and urban rates. DA 12-1306(8/08/12) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Network Services Solutions, L.L.C. (NSS) for a waiver of section 54.611 of the Commission’s rules. That section requires that the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) reimburse any monies due a carrier from the universal service rural health care support mechanism only after an offset is credited against that carrier’s universal service support obligations. NSS also requests that the Commission grant an expedited stay of USAC’s decision, allowing NSS to continue to receive bi-monthly rural health care support disbursements pending the Commission’s review of the instant waiver request. DA 12-1230(7/31/12) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by Providence Seward Medical and Care Center (Providence Seward) seeking reversal of a decision of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) in which USAC reduced Providence Seward's funding requests for Funding Year 2010 under the rural health care support mechanism. Providence Seward argues that USAC erroneously applied a mileage-based charge in calculating Providence Seward’s universal service support and that Providence Seward has been unfairly prejudiced by delays in USAC’s determinations. DA 12-1229(7/31/12) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks to develop a more focused and comprehensive record in several areas in the pending Rural Health Care reform rulemaking proceeding, particularly with regard to the proposed Broadband Services Program. DA 12-1166(7/19/12) Word | PDF
Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this order, we maintain support on a limited, interim, fiscally responsible basis for specific Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program) participants that have exhausted their funding this year or will exhaust such funding during funding year 2012. FCC 12-74(7/6/12) Word | PDF
Commissioner McDowell Statement: Word | PDF
Commissioner Clyburn Statement: Word | PDF
Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this order, we grant the requests filed by Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) and GCI Communication Corp. (GCI) seeking review of decisions by the Rural Health Care Division of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC or the Administrator). USAC denied portions of 38 Funding Year (FY) 2008 requests for support under the federal rural health care universal service support mechanism because it determined the services for which YKHC sought support were not necessary for the provision of health care until YKHC installed specific equipment. Upon review of the record before us, we find that USAC erred in its decision, and we therefore remand YKHC’s application to USAC for further processing consistent with this order. DA 12-720(5/9/12) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a request filed by the Texas Health Information Network Collaborative (TxHINC) for a 120 day extension of the June 30, 2012, universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program funding commitment deadline for projects to choose vendors and request funding commitment letters from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). TxHINC explains that due to circumstances unique to the state of Texas, it has been delayed in choosing vendors and submitting funding requests to USAC. TxHINC requests the Bureau extend TxHINC’s funding commitment deadline until October 30, 2012. DA 12-544(4/6/12) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on whether to fund Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program) participants who will exhaust funding allocated to them before or during funding year 2012 (July 1, 2012-June 30, 2013). This funding would maintain support for qualifying Pilot Program participants, on an interim basis, during the 2012 funding year to provide time to establish a process to transition them into the permanent Rural Health Care support mechanism (RHC support mechanism). To support these transitioning Pilot Program participants, the funds that were previously designated for projects that withdrew from the Program or otherwise failed to meet the June 30, 2011, deadline could be used without increasing overall demand. DA 12-273(2/27/12) Word | PDF

2011

Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this public notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment regarding a request for review of a USAC decision. DA 11-2016(12/19/11) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this public notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment regarding a request for review of a USAC decision that reduced rural health care support to Northeast Montana Health Services. DA 11-2017(12/19/11) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by Providence Seward Medical and Care Center seeking reversal of decisions of USAC, in which USAC reduced Providence Seward's funding requests for Funding Year 2009 under the rural health care support mechanism. DA 11-1762(10/21/11) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Horizon Health Care, Inc. (Horizon) seeking review of a decision of the USAC in which USAC determined that Horizon's administrative office is not a health care provider under section 54.601(1) of the Commission's rules and is not eligible to receive benefits under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program. DA 11-1761(10/21/11) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Annette Island Service Unit seeking a waiver of the rural health care FCC Form 466 filing deadline. DA 11-1760(10/21/11) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). On July 7, 2011, Richmond Connections, Inc. (Richmond) requested a waiver of section 54.611 of the Commission’s rules, which requires that the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) reimburse any monies due to a carrier from the universal service rural health care support mechanism only after an offset is credited against that carrier’s universal service support obligations. DA 11-1206(7/18/11) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by AT&T Corp. (AT&T) seeking reversal of a Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) commitment adjustment recovery action against AT&T. DA 11-1204(7/18/11) Word | PDF
Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this order, the Commission adopts an interim rule permitting health care providers that are located in a “rural area” under the definition used by the FCC prior to July 1, 2005, and that have received a funding commitment from the universal service rural health care program prior to July 1, 2005, to continue to be treated as if they are located in “rural” areas for purposes of determining eligibility for all universal service rural health care programs. In the NPRM, the Commission seeks comment on whether to make such “grandfathered” providers permanently eligible for discounted services under the rural health care program. FCC 11-101(5/21/11) Word | PDF
Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau extends by one year, to June 30, 2012, the deadline for participants in the Pilot Program to choose a vendor and request funding commitments from the USAC. The Wireline Competition Bureau also extends by one year the invoice deadline for Pilot Program participants. DA 11-819(5/3/11) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Kodiak Area Native Association (KANA), seeking reversal of Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) decisions denying rural health care universal service support for portions of certain funding requests for six KANA facilities. DA 11-706(4/18/11) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by Copper River Native Association (Copper River), seeking reversal of Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) decisions denying rural health care universal service support to portions of certain funding requests for four health clinics because Copper River violated the Commission’s competitive bidding rules. DA 11-705(4/18/11) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a request filed by the California Telehealth Network (CTN) and the Palmetto State Providers Network (PSPN) for additional funding under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program). DA 11-529(3/21/11) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a request filed by the Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center (R-AHEC) for additional funding under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program). DA 11-484(3/11/11) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment for waiver of the Rural Health Care Pilot Program Five Year Invoicing Deadline. DA 11-336(2/22/11) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request by MiCTA for waiver of the Rural Health Care Program rules. DA 11-332(2/18/11) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a request filed by the Southwest Telehealth Access Grid (SWTAG) for additional funding under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program). DA 11-256(2/10/11) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). WCB Provides Guidance on Procedural Treatment of Additional Requests for Extension of the June 30, 2011 Deadline for Requesting Funding Commitments under the Universal Service Rural Health Care Pilot Program. DA 11-172(1/28/11) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a request filed by the Health Information Exchange of Montana (HIEM) for additional funding under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program). DA 11-95(1/19/11) Word | PDF

2010

Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Oregon Health Network Request for additional funding under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program. DA 10-2415(12/28/10) Word | PDF

Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the Michigan Public Health Institute’s request for waiver of the five-year invoicing period under the universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program. DA 10-2334(12/9/10) Word | PDF

Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by the Indiana Telehealth Network for an extension of the June 30, 2011 deadline for participants in the universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program to select a vendor and request funding commitment letters from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). DA 10-2297(12/6/10) Word | PDF

Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this order, we grant a request for review of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company, denying funding for discounted services under the Rural Health Care universal service support mechanism to the Portland Area Indian Health Service. DA 10-1712(9/13/10) Word | PDF

Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC), seeking reversal of Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) decisions denying rural health universal service support for portions of certain funding requests for 36 YKHC facilities. DA 10-1646(8/27/10) Word | PDF

Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by General Communications, Inc. (GCI), seeking reversal of Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) decisions denying rural health universal service support for portions of certain funding requests for Funding Year 2008. DA 10-1645(8/27/10) Word | PDF

Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). Seeks comment on a Petition of the Nebraska Public Service Commission to permanently grandfather those health care providers who were eligible for universal service support under the Commission’s definition of “rural” prior to the Second Report and Order, but would no longer be eligible for universal service support after June 30, 2011. DA 10-1516(8/13/10) Word | PDF

Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). Comments are due by September 8, 2010, and reply comments are due by September 23, 2010, for the Rural Health Care NPRM released by the Commission on July 15, 2010. DA 10-1454(8/9/10) Word | PDF

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (WC Docket No. 02-60). FCC seeks comment on reforms to the Universal Service Rural Health Care Fund to expand the reach and use of broadband connectivity by health care providers throughout the nation. FCC 10-125(7/15/10) Word | PDF

Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). On June 4, 2010, Copper River Native Association (CRNA) filed a request for review of decisions of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), in which USAC denied funding to four health care clinics for more than three weeks in Funding Year 2008 because CRNA did not submit its competitive bid 28 days prior to the selection of its vendor as required under the Commission’s rules. DA 10-1121(6/23/10) Word | PDF

Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). Granted a request by Action Communications, Inc. (Action) for a waiver of section 54.611 of the Commission’s rules. Found that Action has demonstrated that good cause exists to waive the rule because Action has provided evidence that, absent waiver of the rule, it will be unable to sustain its operations and will be unable to provide discounted telecommunications services to the rural health care providers it serves. DA 10-1121(6/23/10) Word | PDF

Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Southwest Alabama Community Mental Health (SWAMH) request for review of a decision of the Universal Services Administrative Company (USAC) in which USAC determined that SWAMH’s administrative office is not a health care provider under section 54.601(1) of the Commission’s rules and is not eligible to receive benefits under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program. DA 10-1056 (6/10/10) Word | PDF

Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). WCB grants Bradford Regional Medical Center's request for reversal of a USAC decision denying funding for discounted services under the rural health care universal service support mechanism. In the draft order, we waive section 54.623(c)(3) of the Commission’s rules, which establishes the filing deadline for all required forms under the rural health care universal service support mechanism. DA 10-1022 (6/4/10) Word | PDF

Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). WCB denies a request for review of a USAC decion to deny funding under the RHC program to Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation (Tuba City). In the draft, we find that after changing service providers, Tuba City failed to timely submit a new FCC Form 466 before the June 30 filing deadline. Note, that the June 30 deadline was still codified in the Commission rules for funding year 2004. DA 10-724 (4/29/10) Word | PDF

Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau extends by one year, to June 30, 2011, the deadline for participants in the Rural Health Care Pilot Program to select a vendor and request a funding commitment from the USAC. DA 10-263 (2/18/10) Word | PDF

2009

Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60).WCB provides notice that requests to extend the June 30, 2010 RHCPP deadline, filed after the Bureau issued a public notice seeking comments on the North Carolina extension request, will be treated as ex parte comments on the pending proceeding. DA 09-2609 (12/22/09) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). Comments sought on the health care delivery elements of the national broadband plan. The notice also seeks input relating to the universal service rural health care support mechanism and the rural health care Pilot Program, specifically as such programs may assist in the deployment and adoption of broadband services. Comments are due December 4, 2009. DA 09-2413 (11/12/09) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 06-122). North Carolina Telehealth Network: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by the North Carolina TeleHealth Network for an extension of the June 30, 2010 deadline to file funding commitment requests under the universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program. Comments are due December 2, 2009 and reply comments are due December 17, 2009. DA 09-2362 (11/2/09) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 06-122). Action Communications, Inc.: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment a petition filed by Action Communications, Inc. (Action) for a waiver of section 54.611 of the Commission's rules, which requires USAC to reimburse any monies due a carrier from the universal service rural health care mechanism only after an offset is credited against that carrier's universal service obligations. Action also requests that the Commission grant an expedited stay of USAC's decision which would allow Action to continue to receive monthly rural health care support disbursements pending the Commission's review of the instant waiver request. Comments are due November 16, 2009 and reply comments are due November 23, 2009. DA 09-2356 (11/2/09) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). Rural Health Care Pilot Program quarterly reports: In this Public Notice, WCB reminds Rural Health Care Pilot Program participants that quarterly reports are due October 30. In addition, we remind participants of specific information which must be included in the reports. DA 09-2124 (9/28/09) Word | PDF
Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). TeleQuality Communications, Inc.: WCB grants a request by TeleQuality Communications, Inc. (TeleQuality) to waive section 54.611 of the Commission’s rules concerning reimbursement for services provided under the universal service rural health care support mechanism. We find that TeleQuality has demonstrated that good cause exists to waive this rule because, absent waiver, TeleQuality will be unable to sustain its operations and will be unable to provide discounted telecommunications services to the rural health care providers it serves. In this order, WCB also directs USAC to make an initial reimbursement payment no later than 10 calendar days from release of this order to TeleQuality for the current rural health care support payments to which it is entitled without deducting any universal service contributions that TeleQuality may owe. USAC shall also remit to TeleQuality any additional subsequent rural health care payments on a bi-monthly basis. DA 09-1807 (8/13/09) Word | PDF
Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). Juniata Valley Network and Pennsylvania Mountains Healthcare Alliance: The Wireline Competition Bureau grants a merger request from two participants in the Rural Health Care Pilot Program, the Juniata Valley Network (JVN) and Pennsylvania Mountains Healthcare Alliance and its designated agent, Pennsylvania Mountains Healthcare Resource Development (collectively PMHA). DA 09-1782 (8/12/09) Word | PDF
Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). North Carolina TeleHealth Network, Albemarle Health, Western Carolina University, and University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina: The Wireline Competition Bureau grants a merger request from four participants in the Rural Health Care Pilot Program, NCTN, Albemarle, WCB and UHS, to merge their respective Pilot Program projects and designate NCTN as the successor to Albemarle, WCU, and UHS. DA 09-1696 (7/31/09) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request by TeleQuality Communications, seeking a waiver of section 54.611 of the Commission’s rules, which requires that USAC reimburse any monies due a carrier from the universal service rural health care support mechanism only after an offset is credited against that carrier’s universal service support obligations. TeleQuality also requests that the Commission grant an expedited stay of USAC’s decision, allowing TeleQuality to continue to receive bi-monthly rural health care support disbursements pending the Commission’s review of the instant waiver request. Comments are due June 19, 2009 and reply comments are due June 26, 2009. DA 09-1252 (6/5/09). Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 06-122). Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on requests for review filed by Verizon and Hospital Network Management, seeing reversal of USAC’s decision to seek recovery from Verizon of universal service rural health care funds relating to services it performed for HNM. Comments are due July 6, 2009 and reply comments are due July 20, 2009. DA 09-1265 (6/5/09) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). Rural Health Care Pilot Program North Carolina Merger: WCB seeks comment on a request to merge four participants in the universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program: the North Carolina TeleHealth Network (NCTN); Albemarle Health (Albemarle); Western Carolina University (WCU); and University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina (UHS). Comments are due June 19, 2009 and reply comments are due June 26, 2009. DA 09-1246 (6/5/09) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). Rural Health Care Pilot Program Pennsylvania Merger: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request to merge two participants in the universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program, Juniata Valley Network and Pennsylvania Mountains Healthcare Resource Development. Comments are due May 20, 2009 and reply comments are due May 27, 2009. DA 09-1018 (5/6/09) Word | PDF
Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). Rural Health Care Pilot Program Texas Projects Merger: In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau grants a request from two participants in the Rural Health Care Pilot Program, the Texas Healthcare Network (THN) and the Texas Health Information Network Collaborative (THINC), to merge their respective Pilot Program projects and designate THINC as the successor to THN’s Pilot Program project. DA 09-838 (4/16/09) Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). Texas Healthcare Network and Texas Health Information Network Collaborative: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request to merge two participants in the universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program, Texas Healthcare Network (THN) and Texas Health Information Network Collaborative (THINC). Comments are due by March 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by March 24, 2009. DA 09-578 (3/13/09) Word | PDF

2008

Public Notice: Comment Sought On Request To Merge Mississippi Rural Health Care Pilot Program Projects. (9/19/08)
Word | PDF
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). Notice of Rural Health Care Pilot Program Quarterly Report Filing Deadline: The Wireline Competition Bureau announces the July 30, 2008 filing deadline for Rural Health Care Pilot Program quarterly reports. DA 08-1751 (7/28/08)
Word | Acrobat
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on two Requests for Review filed by Lake Delton Urgent Care and Franciscan Skemp Prairie du Chien Clinic that seek review of decisions of USAC. USAC’s decisions reduced the applicants' Rural Health Care funding requests for Funding Year 2006. Comments on the requests are due July 10, 2008, and reply comments are due July 25, 2008. DA 08-1365 (6/10/08)
Word | Acrobat
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Fort HealthCare—Fort Memorial Hospital, Fort HealthCare—Lake Mills Clinic, and Fort HealthCare—Whitewater Clinic, and Franciscan Skemp Waukon Clinic’s requests for review of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company. Comments on the requests are due June 30, 2008, and reply comments are due July 14, 2008. DA 08-1230 (5/30/08)
Word | Acrobat
Order on Reconsideration (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this Order on Reconsideration, the Commission grants in part a Petition for Reconsideration by the American Telemedicine Association (ATA), seeking limited reconsideration of the Commissions’ Rural Health Care Support Mechanism Second Report and Order. Specifically, the Commission grants ATA’s Petition for Reconsideration in part and extends for three years the Commission’s prior determination to grandfather those health care providers who were eligible under the Commission’s definition of “rural” prior to the Second Report and Order. FCC 08-47 (2/14/08)
Word | Acrobat
Office of Management and Budget Approves Rural Health Care Pilot Program Information Collection Requirements: DA 08-140 (1/22/08)
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat WCB Letter to USAC on Rural Health Care Pilot Program Carry-Over of Funds.
Letter: 1/17/08 Acrobat

2007

FCC Launches Initiative to Increase Access to Health Care in Rural America Through Broadband Telehealth Services - 11/19/07
News Release: Word | Acrobat
Selected Participants: Word | Acrobat
Corrected Order: Word | Acrobat
Erratum (12/17/07): Word | Acrobat
Order: Word | Acrobat
Martin Statement: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
Adelstein Statement: Word | Acrobat
Tate Statement: Word | Acrobat
McDowell Statement: Word | Acrobat
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). American Telemedicine Association Petition for Reconsideration - In this Order, the Commission sought comment on the American Telemedicine Association's Petition for Reconsideration of the Commission’s Second Report and Order, in which it requested that the Commission grandfather, for an indefinite period of time, rural sites that were no longer eligible for rural health care support under the new definition of rural in the Second Report and Order, but which were eligible prior to the date of the Second Report and Order. DA 07-1237 (3/13/07) Word | Acrobat
Order on Reconsideration (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Commission grant a Petition filed by National LambdaRail, Inc. (NLR) seeking reconsideration or, in the alternative, clarification of the Commission’s order establishing a rural health care pilot program to encourage the provision of telehealth and telemedicine services throughout the nation. Specifically, we find that pilot program applicants may request and, if selected, may receive funding to support up to 85 percent of the cost of connecting state and regional broadband networks to the University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development, Inc. (Internet2) or NLR. We further find that an applicant that proposes to connect its state or regional broadband networks to Internet2 or NLR may either (1) pre-select Internet2 or NLR; or (2) seek a competitive bid for the provision of nationwide backbone services from Internet2 or NLR. To ensure the success of the pilot program, we expect that Internet2 and NLR will interconnect or peer with each other. Finally, we provide applicants with an additional thirty (30) days time to submit their applications to the Commission. FCC 07-6 (2/6/07) Word | Acrobat

Pre 2007

2006 Releases

Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau grants a request by Unicom, Inc. for a waiver of section 54.611 of its rules, which provides that any reimbursement made by USAC due a telecommunications carrier providing services eligible for rural health care universal service support is offset against its universal service obligation to the Universal Service Fund, calculated on an annual basis. DA 06-1976 (10/2/06) Word | Acrobat

Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Commission establish a pilot program to examine how the rural health care funding mechanism can be used to enhance public and non-profit health care providers' access to advanced telecommunications and information services. FCC 06-144 (9/29/06) Word | Acrobat

2004 Releases

Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (WC Docket No. 02-60). The FCC expanded its program to bring up-to-date medical services and information to rural areas through telecommunications. Modified the rules to improve the effectiveness of the rural health care universal service support mechanism. FCC 04-289 (12/17/04) Word | Acrobat
Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). This public notice establishes the deadline for completing Funding Year 2003 application process for Rural Health Care Universal Service Support Mechanism. DA 04-2347 (7/28/04) Word | Acrobat

Order on Reconsideration Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). This order on reconsideration of the Rural Health Care order eliminates a duplicative annual report reporting requirement for USAC. FCC 04-15 (1/16/04) Word | Acrobat

2003 Releases

Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration and FNPRM (CC Docket No. 02-60). This Order modifies the Commission's rules to improve the effectiveness of the rural health care support mechanism. FCC 03-288 (11/17/03) Word | Acrobat
Public Notice (CC Docket No. 96-45). Minnesota Public Utility Commission: The Wireline Competition Bureau initiates proceeding to consider the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Petition to redefine Rural Telephone Company Service Areas in the State of Minnesota. DA 03-3594 (11/7/03) Word | Acrobat
Order(C Docket No. 96-45 and 97-21). This order addresses requests for review of twelve tribal government offices seeking discounts under the rural health care universal service support mechanism. DA 03-2919 (9/23/03) Word | Acrobat
Order (CC Docket No. 96-45 and 97-21). Unicom, Inc.: Dismisses Request for Review and all related Supplementals and Petitions for Leave to File. DA 03-2898 (9/17/03) Word | Acrobat
Public Notice (CC Docket No. 02-60). This Public Notice announces the deadline for completing FY 2002 rural healthcare applications as October 8, 2003. DA 03-2633 (8/13/03) Word | Acrobat
Order (CC Docket No. 96-45). AMSC Subsidiary: The Order grants AMSC Subsidiary's request to withdraw its Emergency Petition for Clarification. DA 03-856 (3/24/03) Word | Acrobat

2002 Releases

Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). This Public Notice announces the New Universal Service Deadline for Completing Funding Year 2001 Rural Healthcare Application Process. (10/4/02) Word | Acrobat

2000 Releases

FCC grants USAC’s request and waives the quarterly cap on collections and disbursements under the rural health care support mechanism for the first and second quarters of 2000. CC Docket No. 96-45, FCC 00-079. Text 3/7/00

1999 Releases

Sixth Order on Reconsideration (CC Docket No. 97-21) and Fifteenth Order on Reconsideration (CC Docket No. 96-45). This Order reconsiders many of the Commission's conclusions in the Universal Service Order to simplify the process for rural health care providers to receive support from the universal service support mechanism. (11/1/99) Text | Word
Fourteenth Order on Reconsideration concludes that all telecommunications carriers that provide supported services to eligible rural health care provides at a discount, are entitle to have the total amount of the discount treated as a contribution to the universal service fund. CC Docket No. 96-45 (ETC Order), FCC 99-256 (11/3/99) Word
Universal Service Administrative Company Report: Evaluation of the Rural Health Care Program. Public Notice: (3/17/99) Text| WordPerfect
FCC Order Changing the Funding Year for the Rural Health Care Support Mechanism from a Calendar Year to a Fiscal Year Cycle and Extending the First Funding Year by 6 Months. (1/4/99) Text| WordPerfect

1997 Releases

Report and Order (CC Docket No. 96-45). The FCC sets forth a plan that satisfies all of the statutory requirements, and puts in place a universal service support system that will be sustainable in an increasingly competitive marketplace. FCC 97-157 (5/8/07) Word | Acrobat

Bureau/Office:

Wireline Competition

Updated:
Thursday, September 11, 2014