FCC Pushes Telehealth Boost for Rural Docs and Pixels
Published Date: 8/31/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks comments on the scope of the similar service and rural area comparability requirements, comments on possible improvements to, or replacements of, our existing cost study method of determining rural telecommunications rates, comments on possible methods of promoting the use of lower-cost technologies intended to provide backup services, comments on a proposal to establish an eligible services list for the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program, comments on whether to adopt performance metrics to expedite the processing of RHC Program funding requests, and comments on whether to eliminate the approval requirement of evergreen contracts and an annual report requirement.
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Change 30% Speed Similarity Rule
The FCC is asking whether to keep or change the current rule that treats services within plus-or-minus 30% of a requested speed as “similar services.” They ask how to adjust prices when speeds differ and whether removing the 30% rule would let providers use more commercial rates to justify rural health-care rates.
Reduce Cost-Study Paperwork Burden
The FCC is seeking comment on reducing the heavy evidentiary requirements for Method 3 cost studies (company financials, cost allocations, audited statements, demand projections, and geographic density data) and on whether standardized templates could make cost studies less costly and faster to review.
Use Wholesale Rates As Alternatives
The FCC proposes allowing wholesale rates charged to other carriers to be used as a justification for rural Telecom Program rates, subject to documentation (invoices/contracts) and safeguards. The FCC also asks whether an added rate-of-return should be capped (for example, at 9.75%).
Permit Previously Approved Rates Permanently
The FCC is asking whether the temporary waivers that let providers rely on previously approved rates (waivers used for funding years 2024–2027) should be made permanent, and whether limits (for example, how recent an approved rate must be or time limits on continued reliance) are needed.
Allow Rate Projections for Different Bandwidths
The FCC seeks comment on allowing providers to use rate projections—interpolation or extrapolation—based on approved rates to justify rural rates at different bandwidths, and whether projections should be limited (for example to interpolation, or to rates approved within the past two years).
Limit Support For High-Cost Backup Services
The FCC asks whether the RHC Program should distinguish primary vs. secondary (backup) services and limit support for secondary services to lower-cost technologies or cap secondary service cost/performance to the primary service, so backup costs “reasonably reflect” secondary use.
Create RHC Program Eligible Services List
The FCC proposes adopting an official eligible services list for the RHC Program (modeled on the E-Rate list) to clarify which telecommunications, broadband services, and equipment are supported, and asks whether updates should be made as-needed with delegation to the Wireline Competition Bureau.
Adopt Application Processing Targets
The FCC is considering performance metrics to speed RHC Program application processing, including adopting a September 1 target (used for E-Rate) to issue funding commitments or denials for 'workable' requests, or another deadline with exceptions for complex cases.
Remove Evergreen Contract Approval Requirement
The FCC asks whether to eliminate the current rule that requires USAC to approve multi-year 'evergreen' contracts (Sec. 54.622(i)(3)) before applicants can use the competitive-bidding exemption, following the E-Rate approach where USAC approval is not required.
Propose Deleting HCF Annual Report
The FCC tentatively proposes deleting the Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) annual report requirement (Sec. 54.618) that currently requires each HCF applicant to file a report by September 30 for the preceding funding year; the FCC notes HCF accounted for 56.8% of RHC funding commitments in funding year 2024.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-20591, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
The FCC is checking in on its paperwork rules for TV stations using Next Gen TV technology to make sure they're not too tricky or time-consuming. Businesses, governments, and nonprofits involved with local TV broadcasts might need to share info, but the FCC wants to keep it simple and clear. If you have thoughts, speak up by December 7, 2026, so the FCC can keep things smooth and fair without extra costs or hassle.
2026-20590, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
The FCC is asking for your thoughts on how it collects info about radiofrequency safety rules. This affects individuals, businesses, and governments who must report or share info sometimes. They want to make the process easier and clearer, especially for small businesses, and need your comments by December 7, 2026.
2026-20676, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
The FCC is checking in on its paperwork rules for cable companies and local governments to make sure the info they collect is useful and not too much work. They want your thoughts on how to make the process easier, especially for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. If you want to share your ideas, send them in by December 7, 2026—this helps keep things fair and smooth for everyone involved.
2026-20607, Information Collections Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is asking the public and other agencies to review and comment on their paperwork plans to make things easier, especially for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. They want feedback by November 9, 2026, to help reduce the time and hassle of filling out forms. This is part of a government effort to cut down on unnecessary paperwork and save everyone time and money.
2026-20681, Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is asking the public and other agencies to comment on a paperwork update aimed at making things easier, especially for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. They want your thoughts by November 9, 2026, to help reduce the hassle and keep everything running smoothly. This is part of a government effort to cut down on unnecessary forms and save time and money.
2026-20486, Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
The FCC is asking the public and businesses to review and comment on some paperwork they collect to make sure it’s useful and not too much of a hassle. This review affects companies, nonprofits, and government groups, especially small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. Comments are due by December 7, 2026, and the FCC aims to keep things clear, quick, and fair without costing too much time or money.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-17764, Section 898(c) Transition Rule for Allocating Foreign Taxes and Section 960(d)(4) Foreign Tax Credit Disallowance; Correction
The IRS fixed some details in their new rules about how foreign taxes are handled for certain companies, especially after a tax deferral option was removed. If you deal with foreign tax credits or earnings from foreign companies, these changes could affect your tax filings. Comments on these updates are open until September 17, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!
Next: 2026-17774, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Seeks To Dismiss Twenty-Four Mooted or Outdated Petitions
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks to assess the continuing interest in certain petitions that were filed between 2003 and 2023. The Commission plans to dismiss the petitions with prejudice unless a petitioner or other interested party files a letter in the relevant docket specifying that it objects to the dismissal of the petition and the reason for such objection.