Bill Sponsor
House Bill 6474
116th Congress(2019-2020)
Healthcare Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in House on Apr 10, 2020
Overview
Text
Sponsor
Introduced
Apr 10, 2020
Latest Action
Apr 10, 2020
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
6474
Congress
116
Policy Area
Science, Technology, Communications
Science, Technology, Communications
Primary focus of measure is natural sciences, space exploration, research policy and funding, research and development, STEM education, scientific cooperation and communication; technology policies, telecommunication, information technology; digital media, journalism. Measures concerning scientific education may fall under Education policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
California
Republican
Alaska
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
Colorado
Democrat
Connecticut
Democrat
District of Columbia
Democrat
Maryland
Democrat
North Carolina
Republican
Oklahoma
Democrat
Virginia
House Votes (0)
Senate Votes (0)
No House votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

Healthcare Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act

This bill temporarily expands the Rural Health Care Program of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). It also establishes and provides funding for the Emergency Rural Health Care Connectivity Fund through FY2022 to carry out the Rural Health Care Program.

Currently, the FCC subsidizes 65% of the cost of broadband for eligible public and nonprofit rural health care facilities through the Rural Health Care Program. This bill expands the program to encompass health care providers not located in rural areas, including mobile and temporary facilities, and it increases the subsidy rate to 85%.

The bill also requires the FCC to (1) promulgate regulations to expedite the receipt of funds under the program, and (2) release funding for all requests within a designated time frame.

Text (1)
April 10, 2020
Actions (2)
04/10/2020
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
04/10/2020
Introduced in House
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:43:16 PM