Rural Health Care Outreach Conference Call Minutes
May 8, 2003

RHCD launched its new redesigned website on May 3, 2003 with the goal of improving readibility and ease of use for both the new and returning applicants. To become acquainted with the new look, take the site tour (link). If you have any comments or suggestions, please send them via email.

RHCD urges all Funding Year 2002 applicants who have not yet done so to post Form 465 as soon as possible. Since applicants are eligible for support beginning on the 29th day of the posting, those who post after June 2, 2003 for Funding Year 2002 cannot achieve the 28-day posting before the June 30 year end, so will be ineligible for support.

Funding Year 2003 applications posted by June 2 will complete the 28-day posting before the July 1 start of Funding Year 2003, so can receive the full 12 months of Year 2003 support. Applicants who are eligible to electronically certify (sign) their forms are encouraged to do so to ensure that Form 465 is received and posted instantly.

There are no new developments in the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Rural Health Care Support Mechanism. RHCD anticipates a response in the third quarter of 2003.

RHCD has received 1,400 Form 466/468 packets for Funding Year 2002, and anticipates that another 600 will be submitted by applicants. Rural health care providers are urged to submit packets as soon as expedite the receipt of support.

For Funding Year 2001, RHCD has committed $19.5 million in support, with $17.6 million scheduled and $17.1 invoiced to USAC. For Funding Year 2002, RHCD has committed $15.5 million, with $8.2 million in scheduled support and $3.4 million invoiced to USAC.

Questions?
Call our toll free number 1-800-229-5476 8am-8pm (EST) Monday-Friday.