FCC Increases Funding for RHC Program for FY 2020 and Approves USAC Review Procedures
On June 30, 2020, the Wireline Competition Bureau released a Public Notice announcing an increase in funding for the Rural Health Care program to meet program demands for FY 2020. The Bureau directed USAC to carry forward up to $197.98 million in unused funds from prior funding years to satisfy FY 2020 demands.
In June 2018, the Commission adopted rules to address the increasing demand in the RHC program, including a process to carry-forward unused funds from prior funding years for use in future funding years. The current funding cap for FY 2020 is $604.76 million. With the increase in funding, the total amount of support available for FY 2020 will be $802.74 million. The FY 2020 funding cap will be the highest funding cap in the RHC program’s history. The cap for upfront payments and multi-year commitments under the Healthcare Connect Fund Program is $152.7 million. That cap is unchanged by the carry-forward amount.
In a separate letter issued to USAC, the Wireline Competition Bureau notified USAC of its approval of USAC’s RHC Program FY 2020 Funding Request Review Procedures, subject to further modifications or instruction from the Commission.
In June 2018, the Commission adopted rules to address the increasing demand in the RHC program, including a process to carry-forward unused funds from prior funding years for use in future funding years. The current funding cap for FY 2020 is $604.76 million. With the increase in funding, the total amount of support available for FY 2020 will be $802.74 million. The FY 2020 funding cap will be the highest funding cap in the RHC program’s history. The cap for upfront payments and multi-year commitments under the Healthcare Connect Fund Program is $152.7 million. That cap is unchanged by the carry-forward amount.
In a separate letter issued to USAC, the Wireline Competition Bureau notified USAC of its approval of USAC’s RHC Program FY 2020 Funding Request Review Procedures, subject to further modifications or instruction from the Commission.
