Lieberman Introduces Bill to Require Bush Administration to Develop National Broadband Plan
Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) last Wednesday introduced a bill (S 2582) that would require the Bush administration to develop a plan for nationwide broadband deployment, including funds for research and development of Internet-based health care applications. The National Broadband Strategy Act of 2002 would require the administration to develop a plan to increase demand for broadband applications in federal "mission areas," such as health care, scientific research and distance learning. In addition, the plan would have to include programs to encourage competition among broadband providers and assess privacy and security issues. The bill would require President Bush to submit the plan to Congress six months after passage (National Broadband Strategy Act of 2002, 6/3). Lieberman also plans to introduce legislation that would establish tax credits for broadband deployment, require the Federal Communications Commission to develop a new regulations for broadband and establish a program to develop broadband applications in areas such as health care and education (Lieberman release, 6/5). For more iHealth & Technology stories, visit iHealthBeat.org, a new Web publication sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation.
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.