New Telehealth Bill Would Fund States' Broadband Expansion Programs

A Texas lawmaker wants to set aside $10 billion to help states launch their own broadband expansion programs, which could then be used to expand telehealth platforms into underserved communities.

US Rep. Roger Williams has introduced the Eliminate the Digital Divide Act (HR 8650) in an effort to help the estimated 18 million people nationwide who don’t have easy access to online services. His bill – text for which is not yet available – would create a fund from which state government could draw money to launch their own programs.

“Now that we’re in the midst of a once-in-a-generation public health crisis, digital access to resources and virtual health care delivery has never been more paramount,” the Lone Star State Republican said in a press release. “By empowering states to direct funding to unserved and low-income areas so they can receive services that best fit their needs, they are given the freedom to grow and flourish.”

Lack of broadband connectivity is one of the top barriers to telehealth expansion nationwide, hindering hospitals and health systems from extending connected health networks into low-resource areas and preventing residents in those areas from accessing health care services online.

With programs like the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grants and the Federal Communications Commission’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program, Connected Care Pilot Program and Universal Service Fund (USF) programs, federal officials are investing time and money in creating a better infrastructure for telehealth.

Earlier this month, the eHealth Initiative emphasized broadband expansion in recommendations for federal policy changes to expand telehealth access beyond the coronavirus pandemic. The group called on Congress to re-start the FCC’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program and “make a sustained and meaningful investment in rural broadband infrastructure” by supporting the FCC’s USF programs.

“Building out broadband infrastructure in rural areas is extremely expensive, and there are few incentives for private investment given the lack of market for the product – there simply are not enough people in extremely rural areas to justify the expense of building broadband infrastructure,” the eHI said. “Congress must appropriate sufficient funds to build broadband infrastructure to the last mile and subsidize telecommunication companies’ service of those areas.”

Williams’ bill aims to help that process by giving states more power – and money – to develop and launch their own programs.