About USAC

Leadership

Rural Health Care Committee

USAC's Rural Health Care Committee consists of eight USAC board members, including two rural health care provider representatives, one service provider representative, two at-large representatives elected by the Board, one state telecommunications regulator, one state consumer advocate, and USAC's chief executive officer. Minutes for the Rural Health Care Committee meetings are available online.

Members of the Committee

Name Representing

Eric Brown

Rural Health Care Providers

Dr. Katharine Wibberly

Rural Health Care Providers

Jose M. Jimenez

Service Providers

Scott Barash

Acting CEO of USAC

Ronald A. Brisé

State Telecommunications Regulators

Joseph Gillan

At-Large Member

Geoff Feiss

At-Large Member

Wayne R. Jortner

State Consumer Advocates

The Rural Health Care Committee has the power and authority to act on behalf of USAC to make decisions concerning:

  • how USAC projects demand for the Rural Health Care Program;
  • development of applications and associated instructions as needed for the program;
  • administration of the application process, including activities to ensure compliance with Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations;
  • calculation of support levels under § 54.609;
  • performance of outreach and education functions;
  • review of bills for services that are submitted by Rural Health Care providers;
  • monitoring demand for the purpose of determining when the $400 million cap has been reached;
  • performance of audits of beneficiaries under the Rural Health Care Program;
  • review of staff decisions pursuant to 47 C.F.R. 54.719(a); and
  • development and implementation of other functions unique to the Rural Health Care Program.