Many of the healthcare institutions located within the project area do not have high-speed Internet access, which makes simple tasks, like keeping patient records, incredibly difficult. By extending the broadband network to hospitals, clinics and private healthcare practices, the Florida Rural Broadband Alliance (FRBA) is improving everyday work efficiency and advancing the capabilities of each institution.

Given the large elderly population within the communities located within FRBA’s service area, access to quality health care is a undoubtedly a critical need.

Currently, Highlands County has the highest percentage of elderly residents in Florida. Patients are required to travel long distances to major medical centers to obtain basic health care services at a substantial cost. Few hospitals throughout FRBA’s service area have electronic records systems. And, at this time, a single physician is serving the entire area of Glades and Hendry counties.

Telemedicine can improve rural patients’ access to quality care and reduce the costs of health care delivery. However, these benefits cannot be realized without access to a high speed Internet connection. This project would create access to telemedicine and electronic medical records capabilities throughout FRBA’s service area. Without access to broadband facilities, these regions will continue to suffer from limited access to quality health care. That’s why numerous hospitals and medical providers have already endorsed this project.