Rural Health Care Outreach
Conference Call Minutes
November 13, 2003

Applicants were reminded that the window for Funding Year 2002 (July 1, 2002 - June 30, 2003) closed on October 8, 2003.  RHCD estimated that over 21 million dollars would be committed for Funding Year 2002. Over 2700 applications were received and many are still being processed.

The FCC's Order for the Rural Health Care Support Mechanism was issued on November 13. FCC staff joined the conference call and outlined the significant details of the order. 

• Provides 25% discount for Internet Access Fees.
• ISP may be non-telecommunications carrier.
• Equipment and wiring not covered.

• Expands definition of eligible health care providers to include.
• Emergency departments of for-profit Medicare Hospitals, and
• Part-time health care providers (e.g.community center that does health screening)
• Does not expand definition to include nursing or long-term care homes or hospices.

• Extends Maximum Allowable Distance Limit to largest city in State, rather than nearest large city.
• Allows urban rate to be any large city in state - USAC  will post  tariffed month-to-month rates for lowest cost large city in State.
• Allows urban/rural comparison to be functional equivalent , so rural T-1 may be compared to  DLS or other lower cost urban equivalent.
• Allows  support for satellite at landline support level, even if landline available .
• Requests 60 day comment (45 day reply comments) on:
• Definition of rural.
• Use of satellite for mobile clinics.

The RHCD expects the filing window for Funding Year 2004 will open in late March 2004, pending changes needed to accommodate the FCC's new order.