Thursday, April 14, 2016

AHCA NFP Council Member Testifies on Capitol Hill Supporting Rural Health Care Access Legislation

Dan Holdhusen (pictured to the right), Director of Government Relations at the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society and AHCA member, testified (pictured at left) in front of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology during a hearing in support of the Rural Health Care Connectivity Act of 2015. Dan encouraged swift passage of this important legislation. The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society has been ahead of the curve regarding the exchange of health information through their programs such as the LivingWell@Home technology, which helps seniors maintain their wellness and continue to live in their homes. With more than 240 locations across the country, The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society is the largest not for profit provider of senior care and services in the United States. 

As noted in the past, AHCA is in full support of the
Rural Health Care Connectivity Act of 2015 (S. 1916/ H.R. 4111). This legislation would amend the Communications Act to permit eligible not for profit and public skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) to apply for support from the Universal Service Fund’s Rural Health Care Program (RHCP). The RHCP provides funding for telecommunications and broadband services used to provide health care in rural areas and communities. S. 1916/H.R. 4111 specifies that SNFs be included in the definition of health care providers that are eligible to receive RHCP support. By Federal Communications Commission (FCC) interpretation, SNFs are currently not eligible to receive these funds as, we believe, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 intended. S. 1916 passed unanimously by the Senate Commerce Committee on November 18, 2015.

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