Rural Health Care Providers Program

The Rural Health Care Providers Program ensures that health care providers serving rural communities pay no more than their urban counterparts for telecommunications services necessary for the provision of health care. Congress mandated in 1996 that the FCC implement a Universal Service Fund to provide support to telephone companies that serve eligible rural health care providers. The Rural Health Care program is part of the FCC's federal Universal Service Fund.

More Information

USAC – Rural Health Care

FCC Fact Sheet

Last reviewed/updated on 8/29/2003.