ROBERT E. LA ITA 5TH DISTRICT, OHIO WASHINGTON OFFICE 2448 RAYI!UAN HOUSE OfFICE BUILDING (202) 225-6405 ASSISTANT MAJORITY WHIP CO-CHAfRMAN CONGRESSIONAL SPORTSMEN'S CAUCUS <1Lnugr.ess nf tly.e 11lnit.eb £;tat.es DISTRICT OFFICEs· 1045 NORTH MAIN STREET SUITE 6 BOWLING GREEN, OH 43402 (419) 354-8700 COMMITIEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE SuscoMMITTEf ON COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY ViCE CHAIRMAN SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND POWER SuscoMMITTEE oN ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY The Honorable Tom Wheeler Chairman 1lnuse nf 1Representntiu£B Jlllns4ingtnn.IIC!l i:!0515-3505 August I, 2014 Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, SW Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Wheeler: 101 CLINTON STREET SUITE 1200 DEFIANCE, QH 43512 (419) 782-1996 318 DORNEY PLAZA RooM 302 Reee., ~ Ii FINDLAY, OH 45840 veu "'IA~pected 14191422-7791 AUG 11 LU14 FCC Mall Room We are writing to urge the Commission to clarify the meaning of"not-for-profit hospital" utilized by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) in making determinations for eligibility in the Healthcare Connect Fund (Program). We are concerned that the USAC's current interpretation of"not-for-profit hospital" fails to recognize the increased usage of integrated delivery models in the health care sector, and undermines the goals of the Program by limiting the Commission's desired development of a consortium approach to creating broadband health care networks. We understand that the USAC has interpreted "not-for-profit hospital" to mean a building with beds that is licensed to provide acute care services under state law. However, this interpretation ignores the fact that the integrated delivery models now utilized in the health care sector have significantly expanded the role of ambulatory care centers and hospital employed medical staff offices as a means to care for the patient population. The USAC's interpretation of"not-for-profit hospital" excludes many health care providers in our states who are considered part of non-profit facilities in other legal contexts. The exclusion of these providers undermines the Program's desired objective of encouraging the creation of state and regional broadband health care networks comprised of providers that span the continuum of care from rural health clinics to urban specialist practices. As a result, we believe the Commission should clarify as soon as possible that the term "not-for-profit hospital" within the Program would include all health care delivery locations of an entity licensed under state law that directly or indirectly operates one or more hospital facilities. This clarification would provide the certainty necessary to allow health systems in our PAINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER states and across the country to move forward with the planning and design of their respective broadband networks. Thank you for your full and fair consideration of this important matter. Membero Mike Coffman Member of Congress Luke A. Messer Member of Congress Adam Kinzinger Member of Congress Sincerely, Member of Congress k uJ :> ory Gard er Member of Congress ~~ w~~· Jackie Walorski Member of Congress &,,c;;~s Todd Rokita Member of Congress