WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 6, 2026) – The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition today welcomed the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) vote to open a public comment period on ways to streamline and strengthen the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program. The program helps rural hospitals, clinics and other health care providers afford the high-capacity broadband connections their patients and communities depend on.
The Commission adopted a Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order (FNPRM), opening a proceeding that invites stakeholders to weigh in on a range of questions. Those questions aim to clarify program rules, streamline program administration, and ensure that the application and funding process is transparent and efficient. The item focuses on refining the tools that already make the program work, an approach SHLB consistently champions at the Commission.
The proceeding also takes up several priorities that SHLB and its members have advocated for in the past. Notably, the Commission asks whether it should create a RHC-specific eligible services list, a tool currently used in the E-Rate program aimed at clarifying the services and equipment eligible for program funding. The proceeding also explores adopting certain performance metrics to guide USAC’s review of pending applications.
"SHLB and its members are dedicated to making the Rural Health Care Program succeed year after year. This success leans on the ability for providers to efficiently navigate program rules and administrative processes, and we are encouraged to see the Commission take up so many of those priorities in this item," said Joey Wender, Executive Director of the SHLB Coalition. "Today’s vote represents a real opportunity to strengthen a program that connects rural hospitals and clinics to the affordable broadband their patients rely on every day. We welcome the chance to comment, we thank the Commission for asking these questions, and we look forward to working with the FCC to build a Rural Health Care Program that works better for the providers and communities they serve."
In the run-up to today's vote, SHLB met with all three FCC offices. In addition to the questions in the draft FNPRM, the coalition urged the Commission to broaden its inquiry to help the record capture more holistic feedback from stakeholders about additional ways the Commission could improve program administration and support effective performance measures and transparency of USAC processes. The coalition also suggested additional questions regarding the services needed to ensure that healthcare networks remain reliable and resilient.
SHLB will engage throughout the comment period and urges rural health care providers, consortia and other stakeholders to share how the RHC Program serves their communities and how it can be improved.
Today’s vote also included the adoption of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking aimed at maximizing efficiencies in the administration of the Universal Service Fund. SHLB previously commented on many of the questions the Commission has included, such as ways to promote transparency and accountability in USF administration. SHLB welcomes this opportunity to further suggest recommendations to help strengthen administration in both the Rural Health Care and E-Rate programs.
Media Availability
Joey Wender is available for interviews. For more information, visit www.shlb.org or follow @SHLBcoalition on LinkedIn, Facebook or X.
###
About SHLB: The SHLB Coalition is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) advocacy organization that supports open, affordable, high-quality broadband connections for anchor institutions and their surrounding communities. The SHLB Coalition is based in Washington, D.C., and has a diverse membership of commercial and non-commercial organizations across the United States. To learn more, visit www.shlb.org.
Media Contact
Samyukta Dinesh - Marketing and Communications Manager, SHLB Coalition
SHLB Coalition Welcomes FCC Vote to Seek Comment on Improving the Rural Health Care Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 6, 2026) – The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition today welcomed the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) vote to open a public comment period on ways to streamline and strengthen the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program. The program helps rural hospitals, clinics and other health care providers afford the high-capacity broadband connections their patients and communities depend on.
The Commission adopted a Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order (FNPRM), opening a proceeding that invites stakeholders to weigh in on a range of questions. Those questions aim to clarify program rules, streamline program administration, and ensure that the application and funding process is transparent and efficient. The item focuses on refining the tools that already make the program work, an approach SHLB consistently champions at the Commission.
The proceeding also takes up several priorities that SHLB and its members have advocated for in the past. Notably, the Commission asks whether it should create a RHC-specific eligible services list, a tool currently used in the E-Rate program aimed at clarifying the services and equipment eligible for program funding. The proceeding also explores adopting certain performance metrics to guide USAC’s review of pending applications.
"SHLB and its members are dedicated to making the Rural Health Care Program succeed year after year. This success leans on the ability for providers to efficiently navigate program rules and administrative processes, and we are encouraged to see the Commission take up so many of those priorities in this item," said Joey Wender, Executive Director of the SHLB Coalition. "Today’s vote represents a real opportunity to strengthen a program that connects rural hospitals and clinics to the affordable broadband their patients rely on every day. We welcome the chance to comment, we thank the Commission for asking these questions, and we look forward to working with the FCC to build a Rural Health Care Program that works better for the providers and communities they serve."
In the run-up to today's vote, SHLB met with all three FCC offices. In addition to the questions in the draft FNPRM, the coalition urged the Commission to broaden its inquiry to help the record capture more holistic feedback from stakeholders about additional ways the Commission could improve program administration and support effective performance measures and transparency of USAC processes. The coalition also suggested additional questions regarding the services needed to ensure that healthcare networks remain reliable and resilient.
SHLB will engage throughout the comment period and urges rural health care providers, consortia and other stakeholders to share how the RHC Program serves their communities and how it can be improved.
Today’s vote also included the adoption of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking aimed at maximizing efficiencies in the administration of the Universal Service Fund. SHLB previously commented on many of the questions the Commission has included, such as ways to promote transparency and accountability in USF administration. SHLB welcomes this opportunity to further suggest recommendations to help strengthen administration in both the Rural Health Care and E-Rate programs.
Media Availability
Joey Wender is available for interviews. For more information, visit www.shlb.org or follow @SHLBcoalition on LinkedIn, Facebook or X.
###
About SHLB: The SHLB Coalition is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) advocacy organization that supports open, affordable, high-quality broadband connections for anchor institutions and their surrounding communities. The SHLB Coalition is based in Washington, D.C., and has a diverse membership of commercial and non-commercial organizations across the United States. To learn more, visit www.shlb.org.
Media Contact
Samyukta Dinesh - Marketing and Communications Manager, SHLB Coalition
Categories
Most Recent Posts