The American Hospital Association has advised the Federal Communications Commission to quickly streamline administrative requirements under its Rural Health Care program so program funds can be deployed and connect rural healthcare systems with broadband services to support health information technology needs.
Linda Fishman, AHA senior vice president for public policy analysis and development, urged the AHA to take steps to streamline the application, reporting and competitive bidding requirements in a letter she wrote to the FCC. "Complex rules and administrative burden have previously limited participation in the program, despite demonstrated need for assistance," she wrote.
The AHA has also said urban and for-profit providers that apply for funding under the program should be allowed to participate in consortia as long as controls are in place to ensure that rural providers receive the majority of that benefit, according to the letter.
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Linda Fishman, AHA senior vice president for public policy analysis and development, urged the AHA to take steps to streamline the application, reporting and competitive bidding requirements in a letter she wrote to the FCC. "Complex rules and administrative burden have previously limited participation in the program, despite demonstrated need for assistance," she wrote.
The AHA has also said urban and for-profit providers that apply for funding under the program should be allowed to participate in consortia as long as controls are in place to ensure that rural providers receive the majority of that benefit, according to the letter.
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