By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: American Telemedicine Association Criticizes the FCC
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > American Telemedicine Association Criticizes the FCC
eHealth

American Telemedicine Association Criticizes the FCC

rdowney14
rdowney14
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

When was the last time a government agency had money to spend and didn’t spend it?  If it happens, it doesn’t happen very often.

When was the last time a government agency had money to spend and didn’t spend it?  If it happens, it doesn’t happen very often.

Sixteen months ago, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted the National Broadband Plan.  But, the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) points out that the agency “has not committed enough funds or developed sound performance goals and measures that will help the FCC implement [the plan].”  And, it has been eight months since the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued its report sharply critical of the FCC’s management of the Rural Health Care Program (RHCP).  The RHCP has been the major mechanism to roll-out grants for improving broadband access in rural areas.

Internet availability is important because with it patients in underserved rural areas can connect with specialists who tend to congregate in medium to large cities. Using the Internet to videoconference with a remote physician is the very basic definition of telemedicine.  So you would think a government agency with millions to spend would be looking to develop the necessary infrastructure to provide better access to quality healthcare.

More Read

Image
Mobile Health Around the Globe: Mobile Maps Malaria in Kenya
The Healing Balm Of Sleep: Administrations Must Address Hospital Sleep Loss
10 Tips for Beginner Hospital Bloggers
The Power of Simplicity in mHealth
Workers’ Compensation and ICD-10

Jonathan Linkous, CEO of the ATA, has complained about FCC inaction before.  Now he has written another letter to the FCC because a crisis in healthcare is here right now and threatens to get worse.  Congress approved $400 million for the RHCP, but Linkous says, “only about $80 million will be spent this year (outside of a onetime pilot program commitment).”  In an interview with InformationWeek Healthcare, Linkous cites the track record of broken promises and meaningless rhetoric he hears from the FCC.  In other words, don’t say you’re going to do something and then not do it.

At best, the inaction by the FCC is disheartening to rural communities who want and need the access to healthcare that the Internet and telemedicine can provide.  I suspect this is causing real pain to rural residents who must travel to see specialists for themselves or their children.  If for themselves, the adults often have to take time off from work to go to an urban specialist’s office and perhaps find daycare for their children.  If for their children, the parents miss work and the children miss school.

GlobalMed supports the American Telemedicine Association position for the health and benefit of all Americans.  The FCC needs to get its house in order and finish what it started.

TAGGED:telemedicine
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

dental care
Importance of Good Dental Care for Health and Confidence
Dental health Specialties
October 2, 2025
AI in Healthcare
AI in Healthcare: Technology is Transforming the Global Landscape
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
October 1, 2025
Choosing the Right Swimwear for Health and Safety
News
September 30, 2025
sports concussions
Concussion In Sports: How Common They Are And What You Need To Know
Infographics
September 28, 2025

You Might also Like

AMA Continues Onslaught of ICD-10

February 1, 2012
onlineresearch.jpg
eHealth

Understanding the New Path to Treatment

May 31, 2016

Hey Friend, Can I Interest You in a Lung Transplant?

July 18, 2012
Image
Social Media

New Tools of the Trade to Use in Your HealthCare Organization

September 12, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?