In a letter to Congress, the American Hospital Association (AHA) called for an extension of the Affordable Connectivity Program. This program is essential for providing affordable high-speed internet to households, which 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.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is managed by the Federal Communications Commission and offers eligible households a $30 monthly discount towards internet service. Additionally, qualifying households in tribal lands can receive up to $75 per month in benefits. However, without legislative action, these benefits will decrease to $14 this month before expiring completely in June.
As healthcare has become increasingly reliant on telehealth during the pandemic, ensuring continued access to affordable high-speed internet is more important than ever. The AHA highlighted the importance of the program in promoting equitable access to healthcare and urged Congress to extend it before it expires.
“The Affordable Connectivity Program plays a critical role in supporting equitable access to healthcare,” said AHA President and CEO Elizabeth Hancock Foley. “We urge Congress to take immediate action and extend this program so that patients continue to receive quality care.”