Recently, a bill introduced by Representative Kevin Cramer (R-ND) http://cramer.house.gov , with co-sponsors Representatives Leonard Lance (R-NJ) http://lance.house.gov and Dave Loebsack (D-IA) http://loebsack.house.gov to increase broadband accessibility to skilled nursing homes in rural areas has been passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee http://energycommerce.house.gov.
The bill called, “The Rural Health Care Connectivity Act of 2015” (H.R 4111) addresses the gap in health IT broadband connectivity that impacts skilled nursing facilities, including several facilities in North Dakota.
Dan Holdhusen, Director of Government Relations for the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society operating ten of North Dakota’s 80 skilled nursing facilities, testified at a hearing in March. He said, “The legislation would bring skilled nursing homes in rural areas the necessary telecommunications and information services at rates that are reasonably comparable to those rates charged for similar services in urban areas.”
Also on Capitol Hill, Representative Cramer along with Representatives Bob Latta (R-OH) http://latta.house.gov, Mark Pocan (D-WI) http://pocan.house.gov, and Peter Welch (D-VT) http://welch.house.gov founded the 34 member Bipartisan Rural Broadband Caucus. The purpose for the Caucus is to facilitate discussion, educate Member of Congress on the need to develop policy solutions to the digital divide that exists in rural America.
In addition, USDA recently announced that their “Community Connect” program is seeking applications for nearly $11.7 million to provide broadband grants for rural communities. The grant program is administered by USDA’s Rural Utilities Service www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/agencies/rural-utilities-services and funds broadband deployment into rural communities where it is not economically viable for the private sector providers to fund services.