Community Hospital Association Applauds Supreme Court Decision Upholding Universal Service Fund, Ensuring Vital Broadband Access for Rural Healthcare

Decision Aligns with the Amicus Brief filed by CHC and the Ad Hoc Healthcare Group

PLANO, Texas, July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Supreme Court of the United States upheld the Universal Service Fund (USF), a critical program that ensures access to affordable internet and telecommunications services for rural and underserved communities across the nation.

This landmark decision is a significant victory for rural healthcare providers, schools, libraries, and low-income Americans.

Community Hospital Corporation (CHC) and the Ad Hoc Healthcare Group celebrate the Supreme Court's decision; their amicus brief underscored the vital role of the USF in supporting essential healthcare services. CHC and the Ad Hoc Healthcare Group – a coalition of nonprofit healthcare organizations, hospital associations, and consulting firms – have worked tirelessly to protect decades of progress in expanding healthcare access.

"USF-supported broadband enables rural providers to deliver high-quality care, conduct remote consultations, and reduce ER visits," said Whittney Walker, CHC Vice President of Telecom Services. "Without this funding, rural communities would suffer."

The USF's Rural Health Care program provides essential subsidies that enable rural hospitals, clinics, and telehealth providers to afford medical-grade broadband services. Without this crucial funding, many rural healthcare facilities would face prohibitive connectivity costs, severely impacting their ability to deliver quality patient care, utilize telehealth services, and implement advanced medical technologies.

The ruling rejected challenges from conservative groups that contended Congress had exceeded its powers in delegating the administration of the USF to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Writing for the majority, Justice Elena Kagan affirmed that Congress provided sufficient guidance to the FCC for administering the USF and that the delegation of administrative duties to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) was constitutionally sound, as the FCC retains ultimate control and oversight. This decision confirms that the current USF funding mechanism is constitutional and will remain in place as designed.

The Court's decision provides for funding continuity and eliminates significant uncertainty for the future financial stability of the Rural Health Care program, allowing hospitals to focus on patient care rather than battling prohibitive infrastructure costs.

CHC remains committed to collaborating with its partners and bringing innovative solutions to support community and rural healthcare, reinforced by this pivotal Supreme Court ruling.

About Community Hospital Corporation:
Community Hospital Corporation (CHC) offers practical solutions that help community hospitals enhance efficiencies, improve quality and reinforce financial stability. CHC owns, manages and consults with hospitals through CHC Hospitals, CHC Consulting and CHC ContinueCARE, with the purpose to collaborate with partners and bring innovative solutions to support the vibrancy and accessibility of community healthcare. For more information, visit https://chc.com/.

Media Contact:
Anne Block
Director of Marketing Communications
Community Hospital Corporation
972-943-6470
[email protected] 

SOURCE Community Hospital Corporation