The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau, which is responsible for the FCC’s policies and programs focused on closing the digital divide, announced the Rural Health Care (RHC) programs’ annual caps for funding year 2026. These caps represent a 2.8% inflation-adjusted increase from 2025.
The RHC funding cap for FY2026 is $744,161,841, with the internal cap for upfront payments and multi-year commitments in the Healthcare Connect Fund program being $187,898,8742.
What this Means for Healthcare Organizations
The funding caps set the total amount of support available each year through the Rural Health Care Program. These caps are adjusted annually based on inflation, helping ensure funding keeps pace with rising costs over time.
Because the Healthcare Connect Fund operates within this broader program, it has its own internal cap of $187,898,874 for FY2026.
How HealthConnect Networks Can Help
At HealthConnect Networks, we help healthcare organizations navigate every step of the Healthcare Connect Fund process. Our team supports:
- Eligibility determination
- Application and filing management
- Ongoing funding and disbursement support
- Audit and appeals support
If you’re planning ahead for a future funding year, now is a good time to start the conversation.
Read the Full Announcement
For complete details, you can review the full announcement from the FCC here.
