UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND - RURAL HEALTH CARE

Federal Communications Commission

The Rural Health Care Program, one of the FCC’s Universal Service Fund programs, provides funding to eligible health care providers for telecommunications and broadband services necessary for the provision of health care. The goal of the program is to improve the quality of health care available to patients in rural communities by ensuring that eligible health care providers have access to telecommunications and broadband services. The Rural Health Care Program is currently made up of two progra

Jargon-free version

Helps rural health care providers get affordable telecommunications services. They receive a 65% discount on advanced communication services.

Quick Facts

Funding
Contact for details
Deadline
Jun 2, 2025
Status
Rolling Intake
Category
Health & Biomedical Research
Organization
Federal Communications Commission

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What Is This Program?

The purpose of Rural Health Care Program funding is to provide financial assistance to eligible rural health care providers to obtain rates on telecommunications services in rural areas that are reasonably comparable to rates charged for similar services in corresponding urban areas through the Telecommunications Program, and to provide individual rural health care providers and consortia that include both rural and urban health care providers a flat 65% discount on an array of advanced telecommunications and information services through the Healthcare Connect Fund Program.

What Benefits Are Offered?

grantdiscountsubsidy

Provides funding, discounts, or subsidies for telecommunications and broadband services. This includes support for high-capacity broadband connectivity, internet access, dark fiber, business data, traditional digital service line (DSL), and private carriage services. Eligible entities receive a 65% flat discount on services, or the difference between urban and rural rates for telecommunications services is subsidized. The overall program funding is capped at $571 million annually, adjusted for inflation, with unused funds carried forward to future years.

Who Is Eligible?

Industries: healthcare, education

Region: rural communities, United States

Other Criteria: non-profit or public health care providers, post-secondary educational institutions offering health care instruction, teaching hospitals, medical schools, community health centers, health centers providing health care to migrants, local health departments or agencies, community mental health centers, not-for-profit hospitals, rural health clinics, skilled nursing facilities (as defined in section 395i–3(a) of title 42), consortia of health care providers (at least one entity from the above categories), non-rural health care providers as members of a consortium with more than 50% rural health care provider sites, requires funding for telecommunications and broadband services necessary for the provision of health care

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How Do I Apply?

matthew.baker@FCC.GOV
202.418.0556

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FAQFrequently Asked Questions

Visit the program page for detailed eligibility requirements.

Contact the program administrator for funding details.

The application deadline is June 2, 2025.

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