Illinois officials tell House subcommittee broadband shortfalls and digital divide limit telehealth for rural veterans

Illinois broadband officials and VA leaders told a House Veterans' Affairs subcommittee in Urbana that lack of fast, affordable Internet and digital skills is a major barrier to telehealth for rural veterans.

Why it matters: Telehealth expanded rapidly during the COVID‑19 pandemic and has become a core tool for reaching veterans in remote areas, witnesses said, but telehealth is only useful if veterans have reliable connectivity, appropriate devices, and basic digital skills.

Hillary Raines, representing the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the state Office of Broadband, testified that about 67% of Illinois veterans use broadband and that 57% of rural locations in Illinois are unserved or underserved at speeds below the FCC’s 100/20 Mbps benchmark. Raines told the subcommittee that three state and federally funded rounds of the Connect Illinois program…