The Rural Healthcare Program supports healthcare facilities in bringing world class medical care to rural areas through increased telecommunication connectivity.  The Rural Health Care Program provides funding to eligible health care providers for telecommunications and broadband services necessary for the provision of health care.

Eligible health care providers (HCP’s) include:

  • Post-secondary educational institutions offering health care instruction, teaching hospitals, and medical schools
  • Community health centers or health centers providing health care to migrants
  • Local health departments or agencies
  • Community mental health centers
  • Not-for-profit hospitals
  • Rural health clinics
  • Skilled nursing facilities (as defined in section 395i–3(a) of title 42
  • Consortium of health care providers consisting of one or more entities falling into the first seven categories
  • In addition, eligible health care providers must be non-profit or public

The goal of the program is to improve the quality of health care available to patients in rural communities by ensuring that eligible health care providers have access to telecommunications and broadband services.  As of FY 2024, funding for the Rural Health Care Program is capped at approximately $707 million (annually adjusted for inflation)

The Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) Program provides a 65% discount on eligible broadband connectivity expenses for eligible rural health care providers (HCPs).

SpectraCorp’s expert consultant services focus on the RHP’s Broadband services available through the Healthcare Connect Fund.

Find Out Your Eligibility