The American Telemedicine Association criticized the Federal Communications Commission for "continued mismanagement" of the Universal Service Support Mechanism for Rural Healthcare, according to an ATA letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.
ATA CEO Jonathan Linkous wrote that despite the FCC's goal of providing up to $400 million a year to support telecommunications to improve the delivery of healthcare, only about $80 million will be spent this year.
"The Commission annually leaves over $300 million in funds that could be used immediately to help improve Americans' access to health services and help reduce the cost of healthcare," Mr. Linkous wrote in the letter. "With the crisis America faces in healthcare, the Commission's failure to take action is disturbing."
Read the ATA's letter regarding the FCC and the rural healthcare program (pdf).
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"The Commission annually leaves over $300 million in funds that could be used immediately to help improve Americans' access to health services and help reduce the cost of healthcare," Mr. Linkous wrote in the letter. "With the crisis America faces in healthcare, the Commission's failure to take action is disturbing."
Read the ATA's letter regarding the FCC and the rural healthcare program (pdf).
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