S 3838 116th Congress Senate Science, Technology, Communications Administrative law and regulatory procedures Appropriations Cardiovascular and respiratory health Emergency medical services and trauma care Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Government trust funds Health care coverage and access Health programs administration and funding Health technology, devices, supplies Infectious and parasitic diseases Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Rural conditions and development Telecommunication rates and fees Telephone and wireless communication

Health Care Broadband Expansion During COVID–19 Act

Introduced: May 21, 2020 Introduced by: Schatz, Brian Democratic · Hawaii See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

May 21, 2020

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

May 21, 2020

Introduced in Senate

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Health Care Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act

This bill temporarily expands the Rural Health Care Program of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). It also establishes and provides funding for the Emergency Rural Health Care Connectivity Fund through FY2022 to carry out the Rural Health Care Program.

Currently, the FCC subsidizes 65% of the cost of broadband for eligible public and nonprofit rural health care facilities through the Rural Health Care Program. This bill expands the program to encompass health care providers not located in rural areas, including mobile and temporary facilities, and it increases the subsidy rate to 85%.

The bill also requires the FCC to (1) promulgate regulations to expedite the receipt of funds under the program, and (2) release funding for all requests within a designated time frame.

What's happening now May 21, 2020

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Committees of jurisdiction 1