Rural Health Care Outreach
Conference Call Minutes
December 11, 2003

The main topic for this month’s conference call was a detailed explanation of the November FCC order, which expanded the scope of the rural health care program, followed by an extended period for questions and answers. A pdf document of the order is available on RHCD’s website under “Important Notices”. Last month’s conference call minutes summarizes these new changes. The biggest change is the addition of monthly Internet service charges as an eligible service.

There will be a new form 466A, which is the form used to apply for Internet support, and RHCD intends to conduct significant outreach to explain how to use the form. This month’s conference call addressed proposed specific avenues for outreach. RHCD would appreciate any suggestions of conferences or similar meetings where RHCD staff may make a presentation. RHCD will create a new brochure, have drop in articles for your newsletters and a PowerPoint presentation available for download from our website. Staff will also be available for conference calls or web meetings. A preliminary scheduled of outreach events is being created. We will post this information when the schedule is finalized.

We encourage all current participants in the RHC program to take advantage of the new Internet eligibility for Funding Year 2004, which begins July 1, 2004. RHCD encourages all potential applicants to take advantage of our toll free number 1-800-229-5476, if you have questions.