In a letter submitted to a bipartisan group of senators on May 7, the American Hospital Association (AHA) called for Congress to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program. This program is crucial 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 Affordable Connectivity Program would decrease to $14 per month before expiring in June. The AHA emphasized the critical role that affordable high-speed internet plays in supporting equitable access to healthcare and urged Congress to take action to prevent disruptions in patient care.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is administered by the Federal Communications Commission and provides eligible households with discounts of $30 per month towards internet service. Additionally, qualifying households in tribal lands can receive up to $75 per month in benefits. Ensuring continued access to affordable high-speed internet is essential for patients to receive quality healthcare services, especially in the current environment where telehealth has become increasingly important.