FCC Waives Rural Healthcare Program 'Pro-Ration' Rule for Remote Alaskan Providers
The FCC waived rules in order "to assist remote Alaskan health care providers (HCPs) impacted by the Rural Health Care Program pro-ration," said a commission order Friday in docket 02-60 that said the waiver applied only on a one-time basis.…
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"This order creates a path for service providers in remote Alaska to reduce the cost of service to affected HCPs by waiving Commission rules that could otherwise serve as unnecessary roadblocks to relief. ... [W]e find that special circumstances present good cause for this waiver." The order said qualifying demand for the first time exceeded the healthcare program's $400 million annual cap, triggering a "pro-ration" rule that lowers support for applicants.