The Federal Communications Commission announced that its Rural Health Care Program will carry forward up to $379.97 million in unused funds from prior years to increase available funding for funding year 2021 and beyond if needed. The commission in 2018 established a process to carry forward past unused funds to meet growing demand for access to health care broadband services, particularly in rural areas. It also increased the program’s annual funding cap and decided to adjust it annually for inflation. The funding cap for funding year 2021 is about $612 million, a 1.2% increase from 2020. The 2021 application filing window was extended from April 1 to June 1 to reduce the burden on providers addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional information can be obtained at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-742A1.pdf.