Media Contact: 
Katie Gorscak, (202) 418-2156
katie.gorscak@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
CHAIRMAN PAI STATEMENT ON BROADBAND HEALTH AND 
THE CONNECT2HEALTH
FCC
TASK FORCE 
CLEVELAND, March 16, 2017 – Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai 
issued the following statement today on his visit to the Cleveland Clinic and the continued work 
of the Connect2Health
FCC
Task Force:
“Today, I had the pleasure of meeting with the visionary leaders at the Cleveland Clinic. I was 
impressed by the innovative work they are doing in telehealth, particularly in the area of life-
saving tele-stroke services. With technology-based solutions like this, health care providers can 
deliver high-quality care to patients anywhere.  Expanding the reach of medical expertise with 
connectivity illustrates the potential of broadband to improve people's lives, particularly in rural 
and underserved areas.  That's something I personally appreciate, as the son of two doctors who 
have practiced for almost four decades in a small town in Kansas.
“This visit also highlighted the important role of the FCC in bridging the broadband-enabled 
health gap. That is yet another aspect of the digital divide, which I'm committed to closing. 
Accordingly, I'm pleased to announce that the Commission’s Connect2Health
FCC
Task Force will 
continue to focus on this important issue. My colleague, Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, has 
shown passion and leadership on these issues in the past, and she will continue to lead this effort. 
I look forward to working closely with her on this initiative, which aims to address an 
increasingly important aspect of digital empowerment."
###
To learn more about the Connect2Health
FCC
Task Force, please visit www.fcc.gov/health.
Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500
TTY: (888) 835-5322
Twitter: @FCC
www.fcc.gov/office-media-relations
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order 
constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).