Rural households in the United States face an essential issue: losing internet subsidies.
Over 23 million low-income households in urban, suburban, rural, and tribal regions have joined the program, which Congress created in 2021 to close the digital divide, per US News & World Report. However, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) expects funds to dry up by April or May, raising worries.
According to FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, since the internet subsidy program helps people "to fully participate in modern life," the US Congress should invest $6 billion to fund it until the end of 2024.
Possible Devastating Impact
Among the individuals to be impacted by the internet subsidy loss is Cindy Westman, 43, from Eureka, Illinois, who struggles with genetic and immune system diseases, as well as her 12-year-old daughter's cerebral palsy and autism. She uses the internet to manage her daughter's medical requirements, including online medical records and telehealth appointments, to avoid long journeys to specialized care.
Losing internet subsidies would be devastating for healthcare professionals and patients. Alister Martin, an emergency medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, saw access gaps during the pandemic and stressed the program's influence on health outcomes. Massachusetts and Arkansas have launched patient enrollment campaigns.
Federal authorities claim substantial uptake, but enrollment remains difficult, especially in rural regions with higher eligibility rates. The complicated two-step enrollment process and lack of information have prevented many eligible households from enrolling.
The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Idaho's broadband project manager, Frances Goli, said that correct paperwork requirements have frustrated applicants and led to denials.
Rural dwellers without insurance had less access to care and worse health outcomes. Telehealth, which refers to healthcare via phone or video, has emerged as a substitute for limited local care options. In 2019, at least 17% of rural inhabitants lacked broadband internet connectivity, compared to 1% in metropolitan areas, according to the US Government Accountability Office.
Rural people have disproportionate access to care. Rural healthcare access is problematic for pregnant women, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and veterans.
Lucas Strange, 22, continues to study for his degree in physics via online learning sessions from his room in Gonville and Caius College at the University of Cambridge, on January 29, 2021 in Cambridge, England. (Photo : Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Why Telehealth Access is Important
In 2018, more than half of rural counties lacked hospital-based obstetric care. By 2030, the supply of rural OB/GYN will only satisfy half of the demand. Rural counties without hospital-based obstetric care had more pre-term deliveries and longer travel times, which harm the mother and baby's health.
Moreover, one-third of VHA veterans live in rural regions. Data shows that rural veterans use intense mental health treatments, including residential care and intensive case management, less than urban veterans, highlighting access problems.
Telehealth is one example of how technology can improve healthcare quality and accessibility by increasing efficiency and bringing care closer to patients, per Mayo Clinic. Its flexibility reduces travel, making healthcare more accessible to mobility-impaired or isolated patients.
Telehealth has been crucial during the COVID-19 epidemic, allowing sufferers to get the care they need through social distance. Providers may remotely identify and treat COVID-19, helping control its spread.
The technology also allows patients to consult with professionals who may not be nearby, increasing access to specialized treatment. However, it has pros and cons. The absence of in-person physical exams might cause treatment gaps and affect diagnosis accuracy. Overuse of medical services, incorrect pharmaceutical use, and needless treatment are all additional risks.
Moreover, Telehealth adoption is hindered by cost. Telehealth insurance reimbursement varies by state and kind, although coverage has increased, notably during the pandemic. Patients should check with their insurers to confirm virtual visit coverage.
As the end of internet subsidies loom, rural people and healthcare providers worry about access to important treatments, emphasizing the need for continued support to bridge the digital divide and protect healthcare equality in rural America.
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