Benton Institute for Broadband & Society - Health Information Technology

https://www.benton.org/blog/preview-fccs-july-open-meeting-taking-e-out-ebs-and-…

Universal Broadband

A Preview of the FCC's July Open Meeting: Taking the "E" Out of EBS and TV

benton — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 17:44:25 +0000

Perhaps the biggest news of the week was the agenda for the Federal Communications Commission's July 10 Open Meeting, which FCC Chairman Ajit Pai laid out in a blog post on June 18, 2019. I'm traveling to New York this week; below is a shorter-than-usual weekly that takes a look at how Chairman Pai plans to take education out of the Educational Broadband Service -- and broadcast television.

Benton Content:

Benton Original Content

Teaser:

Federal Communications Commission's July 10 Open Meeting

Source:

Benton Foundation

Author:

Robbie McBeath

Send date:

Fri, 06/21/2019

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 6/20/2019

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Thu, 06/20/2019

Coverage Type:

Wireless Telecommunications

Competition/Antitrust

Universal Broadband

Spectrum

Auctions

Why is the FCC Talking about a USF Cap?

benton — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 22:11:47 +0000

The Benton Foundation unequivocally opposes any proposals from the Federal Communications Commission that would allow the FCC to shirk its responsibilities to meet its Congressionally-mandated mission. The FCC is supposed to ensure:

Quality services are available at just, reasonable, and affordable rates.
Access to advanced telecommunications and information services are provided in all regions of the Nation.
Consumers in all regions of the Nation, including low-income consumers and those in rural, insular, and high cost areas, have access to telecommunications and information services, including interexchange services and advanced telecommunications and information services, that are reasonably comparable to those services provided in urban areas and that are available at rates that are reasonably comparable to rates charged for similar services in urban areas.
There are specific, predictable, and sufficient Federal and State mechanisms to preserve and advance universal service.
Elementary and secondary schools and classrooms, health care providers, and libraries should have access to advanced telecommunications services.

USF budget reductions or caps could stall and stifle America’s internet opportunity. They would undercut critical efforts to close the digital divide, efforts meant to ensure that every American can take advantage of the transformative opportunities that broadband can deliver. Capping internet opportunity is not the right answer. Rather, the FCC should spend its time working to eliminate the bureaucratic barriers that are preventing these programs from getting the most bang for the buck and achieving their maximum potential.

We can’t extend broadband’s reach throughout rural America with a USF cap. We can’t solve the homework gap with a USF cap. We can’t ensure that everyone can afford essential voice and broadband service with a USF cap. We can’t bring world-class medical care to rural areas with a USF cap. So why is the FCC talking about a USF cap?

Benton Content:

Benton Original Content

https://www.benton.org/content/why-fcc-talking-about-usf-cap

Teaser:

Source:

Benton Foundation

Author:

Kevin Taglang

Send date:

Thu, 03/28/2019

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 3/27/2019

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Wed, 03/27/2019

Coverage Type:

Press Release

Agenda

Upcoming policy issue

Digital Divide

E-rate/Schools and Libraries Program

Universal Service Fund

Lifeline/Low-Income Consumers

Wireless Telecommunications

Wireless Internet

The Impact Of Telemedicine On Medicare Utilization, Spending, And Quality, 2019–22

zwalker@benton.org — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 20:56:29 +0000

Telemedicine use remains substantially higher than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic, although it has fallen from pandemic highs. To inform the ongoing debate about whether to continue payment for telemedicine visits, this report estimated the association of greater telemedicine use across health systems with utilization, spending, and quality. In 2020, Medicare patients receiving care at health systems in the highest quartile of telemedicine use had 2.5 telemedicine visits per person, compared with 0.7 telemedicine visits per person in the lowest quartile of telemedicine use. In 2021–22, relative to those in the lowest quartile, Medicare patients of health systems in the highest quartile had an increase of 0.21 total outpatient visits (telemedicine and in-person) per patient per year, a decrease of 14.4 annual non-COVID-19 emergency department visits per 1,000 patients per year, a $248 increase in per patient per year spending, and increased adherence for metformin and statins. There were no clear differential changes in hospitalizations or receipt of preventive care.

Benton Content:

https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2023.01142

Teaser:

This report estimates the association of greater telemedicine use across health systems with utilization, spending, and quality.

Source:

Author:

Send date:

Fri, 04/26/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/25/2024

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Thu, 04/25/2024

Coverage Type:

Research

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0313/2473/files/Brochure_Senior_living_connect…

Connectivity Trends for Senior Living in the United States

zwalker@benton.org — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 19:41:05 +0000

The US population continues to age rapidly, and this aging boom has a multifold impact on the senior housing industry. Contrary to popular belief, seniors have become increasingly technology-savvy and are enthusiastic internet users. While senior residents continue to consume mainly linear/cable television, online streaming is on the rise. Seniors also increasingly use mobile applications for banking, video chatting, gaming and engaging with their local community. As active seniors move around their apartments and common areas, Wi-Fi roaming becomes important to maintain connectivity throughout the property, whether it be independent or assisted living. In short, senior residents’ expectations are rapidly changing. The senior living industry has its share of challenges. It is marked by staff shortages, increased medical costs and low digitalization. Senior housing leaders are continuously asked to do more with less. This state of affairs represents an opportunity for technology and connectivity to play a vital role in improving operational efficiency through automation and better integration of legacy systems and facility IoT. For caregivers and administrative staff, managed Wi-Fi is the foundational layer that enables them to serve the residents and better accomplish their duties. Wi-Fi makes it possible to reduce residents' isolation while facilitating the staff’s work in senior living. Video calls, telemedicine, home automation systems—the list of innovations that improve the well-being of senior residents while optimizing the working conditions of care staff is growing

Benton Content:

Teaser:

Contrary to popular belief, seniors have become increasingly technology-savvy and are enthusiastic internet users

Source:

Maravedis

Send date:

Fri, 04/19/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/18/2024

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Thu, 04/18/2024

Coverage Type:

Research

Seniors/Aging Individuals

Marginalized Populations

Research

Internet Aid Cut: How the Loss of FCC's ACP May Worsen the Mental Health Crisis

zwalker@benton.org — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 22:17:59 +0000

The looming end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and the alarm it has triggered among dozens of experts I've talked to, reveals that this federal program is about much more than internet access. Amid a rising mental health crisis, limited access to broadband has been clearly linked with negative health outcomes for America's lowest-income communities. So what does a $30-per-month subsidy mean for the mental health of America's lowest-income communities? The number of US adults with a mental illness has increased every year for nearly a decade, going from 43 million in 2015 to over 59 million in 2022, according to surveys conducted annually by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. With that increase has come a normalization of treatment, which has unfortunately lead to a shortage of mental health care providers. The mental health industry has embraced telehealth, and online therapy is the default treatment. The end of the ACP could cut many American's off from that critical access to treatment.

Benton Content:

https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/internet-aid-cut-how-the-loss-of-fccs-acp-may…

Teaser:

For some Americans, losing the ACP may mean losing access to mental health care services

Source:

C|Net

Author:

Joe Supan

Send date:

Fri, 04/12/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/11/2024

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Thu, 04/11/2024

Coverage Type:

Reporting

Agenda

Upcoming policy issue

Digital Divide

Federal Agency

Federal Communications Commission

Federal Broadband Programs

Affordable Connectivity Program (was Emergency Broadband Benefit Program)