WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after legislation he helped introduce, the Rural Health Care Connectivity Act, was signed into law this week by President Obama.
The bipartisan legislation was included as part of a larger bill, H.R. 2576, the TSCA Modernization Act.
Specifically, Loebsack’s bill makes skilled nursing facilities eligible to receive funds through the Universal Service Fund’s Rural Health care Program. This is a $400 million program that provides discounts for telecommunications services so that rural health care providers pay comparable rates to their urban counterparts, and helps expand health care provider access to broadband services.
“Access to robust broadband internet in skilled nursing facilities, no matter where they are located, is necessary for both the folks who live there, and for the doctors to more effectively treat patients,” Loebsack said. “After having visited many high skilled nursing facilities across the district, I’ve gotten a first-hand look at the innovative care that is being offered. I thank the President for signing this bipartisan legislation into law. It will ensure that our rural communities have access to the same resources that are available to other communities, and can take advantage of 21st century technologies to serve Iowa patients.”