Senators Push FCC to Finalize Broadband Maps for Telehealth

A Senate panel on Thursday pressed Republican Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr to complete broadband maps needed to deploy millions of dollars worth of funds for telehealth.

The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband held the hearing to examine barriers to telehealth. Though the FCC has funds dedicated to deploying telehealth services, the commission’s maps, which are used to identify who in the country lacks access to high-speed internet, are inaccurate and need updating.

The agency also lacks a permanent chair and a fifth commissioner, which some lawmakers believe is further hindering the agency’s ...