PSC 160.115(1)(c)(c) “Public health agency” includes the department of health services, any local health department as defined in s. 250.01 (4), Stats., and any health care facility or program operated by a tribe or tribal organization under the Indian Self-Determination Act (25 USC 450f et seq.)

PSC 160.115(2)(2) The commission may grant funding to non-profit medical clinics and public health agencies for the purchase of telecommunications equipment for any of the following purposes:

PSC 160.115(2)(a)(a) To promote technologically advanced medical services.

PSC 160.115(2)(b)(b) To directly or indirectly enhance access to medical care in rural or underserved areas of the state, or both.

PSC 160.115(2)(c)(c) To directly or indirectly enhance access to medical care by underserved populations or persons with disabilities in the state, or both.

PSC 160.115(3)(3) The commission may grant a maximum of $500,000 in universal service fund support granted under this section per state fiscal year, or $1,000,000 per state biennium.

PSC 160.115(4)(a)(a) An applicant for universal service fund support under this section may not, in its application, request disbursement of support for a time period longer than that specified in the solicitation for grant applications.

PSC 160.115(4)(b)(b) All applications shall become public documents upon filing.

PSC 160.115(5)(a)(a) A description of the telecommunications equipment for which universal service fund support is requested.

PSC 160.115(5)(b)(b) An explanation of how the applicant’s purchase of the telecommunications equipment will support the purposes identified in sub. (2).

PSC 160.115(5)(c)(c) Identification of the vendor that may supply the telecommunications equipment.

PSC 160.115(5)(d)(d) A description of how the portion of the purchase price not covered by universal service fund support, if any, will be paid for.

PSC 160.115(5)(e)(e) A description of the steps taken to secure the telecommunications equipment at reasonable prices.

PSC 160.115(5)(f)(f) A statement certifying that the universal service fund support will be used for the purpose granted.

PSC 160.115(5)(g)(g) Any other information that the commission considers necessary.

PSC 160.115(6)(a)(a) The commission shall evaluate all applications submitted under this section. The commission may approve all or part of an application if it includes the information required under sub. (5) and if the commission determines the following:

PSC 160.115(6)(a)2.2. The applicant’s purchase of telecommunications equipment will support the purposes identified in sub. (2).

PSC 160.115(6)(a)3.3. The applicant will be able to pay for the portion of the cost of the equipment not funded under this section.

PSC 160.115(6)(b)(b) Public health agencies and non-profit organizations that operate more than one location may receive universal service fund support for telecommunications equipment at more than one location, but before approving an application involving an additional location, the commission shall consider how much total universal service fund support has been received by the agency or organization during the time period specified in the solicitation for grant applications and the total amount remaining available to be granted under this section during that time period.

PSC 160.115(6)(c)(c) The commission may give preference to initial applications filed by a public health agency or non-profit medical clinic.

PSC 160.115(6)(d)(d) The commission may convene a panel of experts to assist in the evaluation of applications submitted under this section.

PSC 160.115 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, April, 2000, No. 532, eff. 5-1-00; correction in (1) (c) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register February 2011 No. 662; CR 13-068: am. (1) (a), (b) (intro.), 1., 2., (2) (intro.), (b), (c), (3), (4) (a), (5) (intro.), (b), (c), (g), (6) (a) (intro.), 4., (b), renum. (6) (c) to (d), cr. (6) (c) Register January 2016 No. 721, eff. 2-1-16.