With the development of Health Information Technology (HIT) and Health Information Exchange (HIE), a high-speed, reliable internet connection is crucial to providing health care.  This can be a significant challenge to health care providers in rural areas. The FCC's Rural Health Care Pilot is a unique opportunity to utilize federal funding to help cover the huge expense of building and installing high-speed and reliable networks in the rural areas of Michigan. 

• Network designed for health care
  • Network is designed to be redundant and resistant to failures
  • Network is designed to be secure
  • Internet 2 connectivity, connections to national health care networks and research institutions
  • Audio and video conference capability, for remote consultation and continuing education
• Built-in connections to other health care providers
  • Secure connections to other partner HCPs on the network
  • Enabling Health Information Exchange
• 85% federally funded
  • The Pilot Program will pay for 85% of both the one-time installation cost and the ongoing cost for the first year
• Ongoing Universal Service Fund program support for eligible rural providers
• Low Ongoing Cost
  • Low ongoing costs designed into the network, wherever possible
  • Final vendor selection will be largely based on lowest ongoing cost
• High Network Service Level
  • High uptime requirement will be written into the contract
  • Vendor will be penalized for lack of service
  • Termination of contract (by site) for lack of service
  • Fast response time for repairs
• Ease of Operation
  • No additional burden to site staff