G. K. BUTTERFIELD COMMITTEE ON FIRST DISTRICT, NORTH CAROLINA ENERGY AND COMMERCE CHIEF DEPUTY WHIP CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 85 February 7, 2020 The Honorable Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 1 445 l2 h Street Southwest Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Pai : We write regarding the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Connected Care Pilot Telehealth Program and its potential to improve the state of maternal health nationwide. The United States is one of the only countries in the developed world with a rising maternal mortality rate. Each year there are approximately 700 pregnancy-related deaths-about half of which are preventable. 1 As a country we must do better. To that end, we request that funding for the FCC's Connected Care Pilot Telehealth Program be allocated towards addressing the maternal health crisis in each state. Even as healthcare treatments and services continue to advance, disparities in maternal health outcomes are deepening. This is particularly true in rural communities and amongst expecting women of color, who continue to suffer disproportionately high rates of maternal and infant mortality. 2 We know that many factors impact maternal health, including access to a regular source of health care, economic stability, access to transportation, and community support. Compounding the issue, many low-income areas have limited resources and face provider shortages which further decreases access to maternal care. 3 This unfortunate reality greatly increases the risk of birthing complications or death for both mother and child. 1 Vital Signs: Pregnancy Related Deaths, CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, Mar. 7, 2019, at 1. hltps://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/matemal-deaths/inde;X.html. 2 Ad1iana Gallardo and Nina MartiIL Another 1hing Disappearing From Rural America: Maternal Care, PRO PUBLICA, Sept. 5. 2017, https://,\ ww.propublica.org/article/another-thing-disappearing-from-rnrnl-america­ matemal-care. 3 · Dina Fine Maron. Maternal Health Is Disappearing in Rural America. SCIENTIFIC A:VIER!CAN, Feb. 15. 2017, hltps://www.scientificamerican.com/article/maternal-health-care-is-disappearing-in-mral-ame1ica/. - ------ ------------- BUITERFIELD .HOUSE.GOV ------ --- ---------- - WASHINGTON, 0.C. DURHAM WILSON ONLINE 2080 RAYBURN HOB 2741 CAMPUS W A LK AVENUE 216 NE NASH STREEl llUTTERl-'JE[ D.HOU~E.GOV WASHINGTON, DC 20515 8UILLJING 400, SUITE 300 SUITE B FACEBOOK.COM/CONGRESSMANG KRUlTERFJEI () PHONE: (202) 225- 3101 DURHAM, NC 27705 WILSON, NC 27893 TWJTTEll: @GKllUTIERFIELD PHON E: PHONE: (252) 237-9816 FAX: (202) 225-3354 (919) 908-0164 INSTAGRAM: @GKllU1T£ Rl"IHD FAX: (919) 908- 0169 FAX: (252) 291-0356 The Honorable Ajit Pai February 7, 2020 Page 2 Telemedicine is a common sense, practical approach that is uniquely suited to help address access barriers in rural and low-income areas-making it a critical tool as our country works towards solving our nation's maternal health problem. 4 For example, Connected Care technology is enabling physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide much needed treatment through the use of remote monitoring and video services. Across the country, advances in telehealth are showing promising results in patient outcomes, including greater efficiency of service and quality of care.5 We welcome the Commission's decision to establish a $100 million program to promote telehealth for low-income Americans in rural areas. We believe that focusing telehealth resources on increasing access to maternal heath has the potential to significantly improve women's health across the country. Accordingly, we strongly urge the FCC to reserve Connected Care Pilot Telehealth Program resources for Connected Care projects addressing maternal health in each state. Thank you very much. Lisa Blunt Rochester Member of Congress .. Member of Congress Kathy Ca tor Member of ongress ·ember of Congress 4 Improving Access to 1\1aternal Health Care in Rural Communities, CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, Sep. 3. 2019, https://www.cms.gov/ About-CMS/ Agency-Infonnation/OMH/equity-initiatives/mral­ health/09032019-Matemal-Health-Care-in-Rural-Communities. pdf. 5 Maryam Alvandi, Telemedicine and it.5 Role in Revolutionizing Healthcare Delivery, THE Al\1ERICAN JOURNAL OF MANAGED CARE, Mar. 10, 2019, https://www .ajmc.com/joumals/ajac/2017/20 l 7-vol5-nl/telemedicine-and-its-role­ in-revolutionizing-healthcare-delivery. The Honorable Ajit Pai February 7, 2020 Page 3 ~.;_, a.h~ Atk ~Iv ngi; aig [i F. Doyle Member of Congress 0 ~ee~~~ Member of Congress Barbara Lee McNerney ~QWJ!k Tom O'Halleran Ilhan Omar Member of Congre Member of Congress , ~4-· _:;::>,._.~ ....... g ~ Ayanna Pressley David E. Price Member of Congress Member of Congress The Honorable Ajit Pai February 7, 2020 Page 4 ~JiMeJL ~Ai(;= Terri A. Sewell Darren Soto Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Bonnie Watson Coleman Member of Congress Cc: The Honorable Brendan Carr, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission The Honorable Michael O'Rielly, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission The Honorable Jessica Rosenworcel, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission The Honorable Geoffrey Starks, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission