Media Contact: 
Travis Litman, (202) 418-2400
Travis.Litman@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release


STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER JESSICA ROSENWORCEL ON 
FCC SEEKING COMMENT ON COVID-19 TELEHEALTH PROGRAM 


WASHINGTON, January 6, 2021:  Today, the Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau issued a Public Notice seeking comment on the metrics the agency will use to award approximately $250 million in funding to expand telehealth initiatives pursuant to the 
2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act.  The law directs the FCC to ensure this funding is distributed in an equitable fashion to reach at least one applicant in every state in the country.  Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel issued the following statement in response:

“With over 20 million cases of this cruel virus in the United States, this pandemic has taken a toll on our healthcare system.  So it is good news that Congress has provided new resources for the Federal Communications Commission to help by expanding opportunities for telehealth.  Today, the agency gets this process started by seeking comment on how it should award funds to assist with connectivity for remote patient care and monitoring in the COVID-19 Telehealth program.  This effort is timely, given the crisis before us, and it demonstrates just how important it is to get 100% of us connected. “



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Office of Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel: (202) 418-2400
Twitter: @JRosenworcel
www.fcc.gov/leadership/jessica-rosenworcel

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).