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Merit Network is a collaborative community of research, education, and nonprofit
organizations that utilizes Merit's high-performance network, essential
services, and exceptional Member support to help your organization
achieve its mission and goals.
Since 1992, Merit Network has provided health care organizations in Michigan with networking expertise, professional learning opportunities, and additional services to help them achieve their network infrastructure, education, and research goals.
Merit is a trusted partner, serving hospitals and medical organizations across Michigan.
FCC Rural Health Care Pilot Program
On November 19th, 2007, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the award recipients of
the Rural Health Care Pilot Program. The total award is for $429 million, covering 42 states
and 3 territories, with 69 awardees. The State of Michigan's proposal (submitted by the Michigan
Public Health Institute) was awarded $20,910,000 over 3 years to fund new network infrastructure
that will connect existing state health networks to each other and Internet2 at speeds ranging
from 1.5 Mbps to 100 Mbps. The network will link approximately 390 facilities, primarily
rural, in underserved areas of the state. The pilot program will utilize the existing Rural
Health Care USF system for funding applications and disbursements.
The announcement and other related documents are available on the
FCC's Rural Health Care Pilot Program website.
Additional announcements regarding the awards:
Rural Health Care Universal Service Fund - Existing ProgramThe application window for Funding Year 2009 opened on Thursday, April 9, 2009. As of April 9, applicants are able to post their Form 465 for Funding Year 2009 (July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010). Applicants have until June 30, 2010 to submit their Form 465 for Funding Year 2009.
To be eligible for a full year's support, an applicant must post Form 465 by June 2, 2009,
an applicant must post
unless applicants have an
evergreen contract.
Remember applicants must wait 28-days for bids before entering into a service agreement. Once a provider has been chosen,
the applicant must then submit
Form 466
(for Telecommunications Service) and/or
Form 466-A
(for Internet Service) to provide the detailed information needed for a funding commitment to be issued. Once a
funding commitment has been issued, the applicant must submit
Form 467
to confirm the service start date and then arrange for the selected service provider to begin providing the discounted service. For
additional information about the Existing Rural Health Care Universal Service Fund Program, please visit the
Rural Health Care website.
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