Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Approves Final Set of COVID-19 Telehealth Applications, Louisiana to End Prohibition on Disconnections Due to COVID-19

FCC Approves Final Set of COVID-19 Telehealth Applications

The FCC has announced the approval of an additional 25 funding applications for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which mark the final set of approvals.  Health care providers in both urban and rural areas of the country will use this $10.73 million in funding to provide telehealth services during the coronavirus pandemic.  Since the beginning of the FCC’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program, the agency has approved 539 funding applications in 47 states plus Washington, D.C. and Guam for a total of $200 million in funding—the amount of money provided by Congress in the CARES Act.

“In late March, Congress tasked the FCC with developing from scratch a new $200 million COVID-19 Telehealth Program to help combat COVID-19, support health care providers, and make it easier for Americans to safely access vital healthcare services,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “And just over three months later, the Commission has approved 539 applications, allocating the full $200 million for worthy projects across the country.  Credit for this tremendous accomplishment is due to Commission staff who went the extra mile to set up the program quickly and process funding requests promptly but thoroughly.  I thank them for all they’ve done to make this program a success.

“This final tranche of approved funding applications includes recipients in both urban and rural areas of the country, and from coast to coast.  We have already seen the program’s positive impact on expanding access to telehealth services and promoting the well-being of patients and healthcare providers across the country.  And I look forward to seeing how those who are awarded funding today will help patients from New York to Guam, and Alabama to North Dakota.”

Louisiana to End Prohibition on Disconnections Due to COVID-19

The Louisiana Public Service Commission (PSC) will allow public utilities under its jurisdiction to resume disconnecting customers for non-payment commencing with the first billing cycle following July 16, 2020.  On that date, utilities may also commence assessing late payment fees on a going-forward basis.  Utilities remain required to work with customers on payment plans or levelized billing.  As such, they must: (1) temporarily provide payment plans or levelized billing for recovery of past due balances for residential customers for a period of up to 12 months; and (2) provide PSC staff, by July 31, 2020, a report identifying the payment plans offered, including a link to the utility's website where such options are offered. 

Inteserra Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 7/8/20

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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of an Inteserra Briefing.