PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: https://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 15-1006 Released: September 11, 2015 WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU REPORTS ON RURAL PARTICIPATION IN THE HEALTHCARE CONNECT FUND PROGRAM WC Docket No. 02-60 In this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) reports on rural participation in consortia seeking support from the Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) Program of the rural health care universal service support mechanism. In the Healthcare Connect Fund Order, the Commission required a consortium participating in the HCF program to include more than 50 percent eligible rural health care provider sites and stated that it expected rural participation in HCF consortia would be greater than 50 percent. 1 The Commission directed the Bureau to monitor and report to the Commission on rural participation in the HCF program by September 15, 2015. 2 Pursuant to the Commission’s directive, the Bureau reports that, as of August 31, 2015, there are 76 consortia participating in the HCF Program 3 and rural participation in these consortia stands at 79.90 percent. For additional information, contact Radhika Karmarkar (Radhika.Karmarkar@fcc.gov) of the Wireline Competition Bureau, Telecommunications Access Policy Division (202) 418-7400. – FCC – 1 See Rural Health Care Support Mechanism, WC Docket No. 02-60, Report and Order, 27 FCC Rcd 16678, 16707, para. 61 (2012) (Healthcare Connect Fund Order). 2 Id. at 16709, para. 65 (directing the Bureau to report to the Commission on rural participation in HCF consortia by September 15, 2015). 3 This number refers to all consortia that are participating in the HCF Program, including consortia previously participating in the Pilot Program who have received commitments for HCF support. By “participating,” we refer to those consortia who have sought funding through HCF by August 31, 2015.