mHealth awaits arrival of FCC report

Healthcare tops the FCC's short list of priorities as the independent government agency gears up to deliver its National Broadband Report on March 17. Some are saying the news could be a boon to the telehealth industry, since, among other things, the FCC is calling for expanded reimbursement for e-care, increased pilot programs, revised credentialing requirements, and clarified regulations for converged communications and healthcare devices.

mHealth observers are among the most optimistic, since telehealth typically uses smartphones and M2M technology in remote patient monitoring technologies.

According to a Wireless Week report, the FCC's Broadband Plan update also brought good news for public safety officials. The agency recommended the creation of a nationwide, interoperable, wireless broadband public safety network that would support next-generation 911.

After healthcare and education, the FCC also named energy, the environment, government performance and public safety in a laundry list of other priorities in the plan.