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Health Care Broad­band Expansion During COVID–19 Act

USA116th CongressS-3838| Senate 
| Updated: 5/21/2020
Brian Schatz

Brian Schatz

Democratic Senator

Hawaii

Cosponsors (7)
Dan Sullivan (Republican)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)John Boozman (Republican)Kevin Cramer (Republican)Gary C. Peters (Democratic)Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Health Care Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act This bill temporarily expands the Rural Health Care Program of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). It also establishes and provides funding for the Emergency Rural Health Care Connectivity Fund through FY2022 to carry out the Rural Health Care Program. Currently, the FCC subsidizes 65% of the cost of broadband for eligible public and nonprofit rural health care facilities through the Rural Health Care Program. This bill expands the program to encompass health care providers not located in rural areas, including mobile and temporary facilities, and it increases the subsidy rate to 85%. The bill also requires the FCC to (1) promulgate regulations to expedite the receipt of funds under the program, and (2) release funding for all requests within a designated time frame.
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Timeline
May 21, 2020
Introduced in Senate
May 21, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • May 21, 2020
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 21, 2020
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 116-6800: The Heroes Act
  • HR 116-6474: Healthcare Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAppropriationsCardiovascular and respiratory healthEmergency medical services and trauma careFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Government trust fundsHealth care coverage and accessHealth programs administration and fundingHealth technology, devices, suppliesInfectious and parasitic diseasesInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaRural conditions and developmentTelecommunication rates and feesTelephone and wireless communication

Health Care Broad­band Expansion During COVID–19 Act

USA116th CongressS-3838| Senate 
| Updated: 5/21/2020
Health Care Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act This bill temporarily expands the Rural Health Care Program of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). It also establishes and provides funding for the Emergency Rural Health Care Connectivity Fund through FY2022 to carry out the Rural Health Care Program. Currently, the FCC subsidizes 65% of the cost of broadband for eligible public and nonprofit rural health care facilities through the Rural Health Care Program. This bill expands the program to encompass health care providers not located in rural areas, including mobile and temporary facilities, and it increases the subsidy rate to 85%. The bill also requires the FCC to (1) promulgate regulations to expedite the receipt of funds under the program, and (2) release funding for all requests within a designated time frame.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 21, 2020
Introduced in Senate
May 21, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • May 21, 2020
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 21, 2020
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Brian Schatz

Brian Schatz

Democratic Senator

Hawaii

Cosponsors (7)
Dan Sullivan (Republican)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)John Boozman (Republican)Kevin Cramer (Republican)Gary C. Peters (Democratic)Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 116-6800: The Heroes Act
  • HR 116-6474: Healthcare Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAppropriationsCardiovascular and respiratory healthEmergency medical services and trauma careFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Government trust fundsHealth care coverage and accessHealth programs administration and fundingHealth technology, devices, suppliesInfectious and parasitic diseasesInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaRural conditions and developmentTelecommunication rates and feesTelephone and wireless communication