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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
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 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
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 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.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • HR 6474 Related bill Healthcare Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act
  • HR 6800 Related bill The Heroes Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 7
All 7 Democratic 2 Republican 4 Independent 1
R
Boozman, John
Arkansas · May 21, 2020
 R
Cramer, Kevin
North Dakota · May 21, 2020
 I
King, Angus S., Jr.
Maine · May 21, 2020
 D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · May 21, 2020
 R
Murkowski, Lisa
Alaska · May 21, 2020
 D
Peters, Gary C.
Michigan · May 21, 2020
 R
Sullivan, Dan
Alaska · May 21, 2020
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 3838: Health Care Broad­band Expansion During COVID–19 Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3838/
MLA
"S. 3838: Health Care Broad­band Expansion During COVID–19 Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3838/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 3838, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3838/.
Markdown link
[S. 3838: Health Care Broad­band Expansion During COVID–19 Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3838/)
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