Drafts for Feb. 18 Include a Rural Healthcare Cap

A draft FCC Further NPRM would seek comment on revising the rural healthcare program's telecom program, funding cap rules, and "alternative rate determination mechanisms," if adopted during the commissioners' Feb. 18 meeting (see 2201270072). Changes aim to "improve the accuracy and fairness" of the program's support and "increase the efficiency of program administration," said the item.

The FNPRM would seek comment on "options for support in the telecom program" and propose to "limit the applicability of the internal funding cap on upfront payments and multi-year commitments to instances in which demand exceeds available funding." It would seek comment on rurality classifications for healthcare providers and identifying geographic cost factors. The draft would also seek comment on whether the methodology for funding prioritization should change if the agency were to adjust the current methodology for evaluating rurality.

The rulemaking would "welcome recommendations for alternative approaches to service categorization," and solicit comment on potential modifications to the current urban and rural rates database. It would request comment on a potential transition, since the competitive bidding process "may begin as early as July 1" and a Wireline Bureau waiver of the rates databases is scheduled to expire at the end of FY 2022 (see 2104080061). Comments would be due 30 days after Federal Register publication, 60 days for replies, in docket 17-310.

Also on tap is a draft order that would direct Aureon Network Services to "submit cost and demand data" for 2018 and 2019 that would allow the Wireline Bureau to "calculate the refunds Aureon owes its customers," said a fact sheet. It would "reaffirm" delegation of authority to the bureau to "conduct and conclude tariff investigation proceedings." Refunds would be calculated for customers that "paid unlawful charges" March 1, 2018-Oct. 14, 2019.

Aureon is "liable to its customers for refunds of any overpayments its customers made during the period the unlawful rates were in effect," the draft said (see 1903010004). The company would be required to submit "actual, historical year cost of service studies" and revenue requirements for both years, as well as monthly demand for interstate switched transport service. Aureon would also have to "provide documentation detailing how it accounts for its company-wide investments and expenses."

A draft order updating radio technical rules appears largely unchanged from the NPRM (see 2107070062), except it abandons a proposal to eliminate a rule on demonstrating interference by FM transmitters. That proposal was opposed at the NPRM stage by NAB. Though the rule has seldom been invoked, it helps clarify broadcaster responsibilities when constructing new facilities, NAB argued. The draft order carries forward the remaining proposals from the NPRM, which include eliminating a rule on power levels for AM stations, getting rid of an outdated interference protection requirement for stations in Alaska, and conforming spacing requirements for border stations to treaty obligations with Canada and Mexico. “By updating its rules, the Commission ensures that they reflect current developments in the radio industry and are accurate and consistent across the rules,” said a fact sheet.