Pai Wants 'at Least' $430M More for FCC COVID-19 Telehealth Program

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai believes Congress “needs to step up to the plate and make more funding available for connectivity during the COVID-19 pandemic -- including at least $430 million in funding for the highly successful but underfunded COVID-19 Telehealth Program,” a spokesperson emailed. Some lawmakers and advocates believe Capitol Hill’s inability to agree on an additional COVID-19 aid bill that includes broadband funding presents an opening for the issue to become a focus during the presidential and congressional campaigns this fall (see 2008210001). Congress provided some related funding in March via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, including $200 million for the FCC’s telehealth program (see 2003250046).