FCC chief proposes $200M telehealth program to fight coronavirus

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai is proposing using $200 million from the government stimulus package for a telehealth program to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

The project, which he proposed on Monday, would have to be approved by the commission before launching. The program would help eligible health care providers purchase telecommunications equipment, broadband access and devices necessary for remote health services.

Expanded telehealth services would help doctors work with patients diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, without putting themselves at risk.

It would also help providers care for high-risk patients who might contract COVID-19 if forced to leave their homes to visit doctors.

“As we self-isolate and engage in social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth will continue to become more and more important across the country,” Pai said in a statement.

“I’m calling on my fellow Commissioners to vote promptly to adopt the draft order I circulated today, so that we can take immediate steps to provide support for telehealth services and devices to health care providers during this national crisis.”

Pai also proposed a longer term Connected Care Pilot Program that would free $100 million over three years to expand telehealth access.