News for and about the Internet2 community

[Gary Bachula <>]

FCC Announces Deadline for Rural Health Care Pilot Program
Applications
 
ANN ARBOR, Mich - March 9, 2007 - The Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) has today announced that the U.S. Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) has approved the FCC Rural Health Care Pilot Program information
collection requirements. As such, May 7, 2007 has been set as the
deadline for applications submissions to participate in the pilot
program.
 
In September 2006, the FCC created a pilot rural health program to assist
public and non-profit health care providers to create or connect to state
and regional broadband networks and, in turn, to the advanced resources
of national research networks like Internet2. This new program is
intended to catalyze the formation of a ubiquitous advanced healthcare
network that will improve citizens' access to first class healthcare
services, resources and research especially in traditionally underserved
areas of the country. 

Since the FCC order last fall, Internet2 has convened experts from the
research and education community, regional networking organizations, and
the health sciences to help understand the requirements, services, and
resources needed to take full advantage of this program. On a bi-weekly
basis, Internet2 has hosted conference calls to bring interested
constituents together to discuss, and come to consensus on, these
important issues. So far, this group has worked to quickly agree on
approaches and strategies and share critical information on acceptable
and recommended approaches to proposal development. Internet2 looks
forward to continued support and interest in this program leveraging the
combined input and expertise from leaders in health sciences and advanced
networking. For more information please visit

http://www.internet2.edu/rhcp/ or visit the FCC website:

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/rural/rhcp.html

--

Gary Bachula, Vice President for External Relations
Internet2

office: +1-202-872-9119

Think Spring!
Register for the Spring 2007 Internet2 Member Meeting.
http://events.internet2.edu/2007/spring-mm/