The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other federal agencies are joining forces to increase access to telehealth solutions in rural areas across the U.S.
According to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) issued in early September, the FCC, along with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will work together to develop and implement a joint Rural Telehealth Initiative intended to “address health disparity issues, resolve service provider challenges and promote broadband services and technology in rural areas of America.”
Under the terms of the MOU, the agencies have agreed to establish an interagency Rural Telehealth Initiative Task Force comprised of representatives from each agency and charged with developing a formal plan for the Initiative, consistent with the respective missions and authority of each partner agency. The Task Force will serve as a forum for the exchange of agency expertise, as well as relevant scientific and technical information, data and publications.
Read the text of the FCC’s MoU with the HHS and the USDA on the Rural Telehealth Initiative.
