FCC Adopts 5-0 $200M COVID-19 Telehealth Plan, $100M Connected Care Pilot

FCC commissioners OK'd rules for a $200 million COVID-19 telehealth program late Tuesday, after remaining members voted, agency officials told us. It directs the funds appropriated in the Cares Act. Also OK'd, but without unanimous support, was a three-year, $100 Connected Care pilot funded by USF, agency officials said.

Commissioner Mike O'Rielly dissented from the pilot program, "which in addition to resting on shaky legal footing is unrelated to the health crisis and has numerous problems in how it’s to be administered," an aide emailed. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel approved in part, and concurred in part, to the joint item, an aide emailed.

Commissioners voted on the telehealth programs as a single item, not as two separate ones, an idea that came up Tuesday. Chairman Ajit Pai heralded the coronavirus telehealth program Wednesday in a tweet and an appearance on Fox News.

The orders weren't released by early afternoon.