Healthcare Disrupted: Why Congress Must Extend the Affordable Connectivity Program Now
The American Hospital Association (AHA) has called on Congress to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides discounts on high-speed internet services for eligible households. This program is critical for patients to access important healthcare services such as telehealth, hospital at home, patient portals, electronic patient records, virtual scheduling, and remote patient monitoring.
Without legislative action, the benefits provided by the program will decrease to $14 this month before expiring in June. This would be a significant disruption to patients who rely on these services to receive quality healthcare.
The AHA emphasized the importance of continued access to affordable high-speed internet in supporting equitable access to healthcare. With telehealth becoming increasingly important during the current pandemic, ensuring that patients have access to these vital services is more critical than ever. The AHA urged Congress to act quickly and extend the Affordable Connectivity Program before it expires.
In a letter submitted on May 7th, the AHA called on a bipartisan group of senators to take immediate action and extend the Affordable Connectivity Program. This program offers essential benefits that support access to high-speed internet and are crucial for patients’ health and wellbeing.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is administered by the Federal Communications Commission and provides eligible households with discounts of $30 per month towards internet service. Qualifying households in tribal lands can receive up to $75 per month in benefits.
The program plays an essential role in supporting equitable access to healthcare by providing low-cost or free internet services for those who need them most. Without legislative action, these benefits would decrease significantly this month before expiring entirely in June.
In conclusion, extending the Affordable Connectivity Program is crucial for ensuring continued access to quality healthcare services during this challenging time. The AHA urged Congress to act swiftly and pass legislation that would extend this vital program beyond its current expiration date.
