Bridging the Digital Divide in Rural America

By Jessica Johnson

For many in the 21st century, losing access to the internet would mean losing their connection to the world around them. As highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, having access to the internet is an essential in this technology-driven world, from calling family and applying for jobs to completing online classwork and accessing telehealth appointments.

However, in this modern age where connectivity determines access to opportunities, healthcare, and essential services, the digital divide in rural America stands as a glaring inequality. This divide isn’t just about having the latest smartphone or fastest internet; it’s about the stark reality that millions of Americans are being left behind. Nearly 1 in 4 rural Americans still lack broadband internet access, citing this as a major problem in their community. This digital disparity also disproportionately affects low-income Americans and people of color. Ultimately, bridging this divide is not just a matter of convenience but a pressing necessity for achieving equity.

The digital divide exacerbates health and economic disparities in rural areas, where residents already face numerous challenges. Without reliable internet, rural communities struggle with limited access to telehealth services, which have become an increasingly popular mode of healthcare delivery since the pandemic. Telehealth is critical for those who live miles away from the nearest healthcare provider. This lack of access, however, means that many rural Americans forgo necessary medical appointments, preventable conditions go untreated, and more severe health issues and higher healthcare costs accumulate in the long run. Economically, the digital divide inhibits the ability of many rural residents to seek and secure jobs, access online education, and apply for government assistance programs, further widening the gap between rural and urban areas.

One federal initiative addressing this issue is the Lifeline program, which provides free or discounted phone and internet services to qualifying low-income individuals. Consumers are eligible for Lifeline if their income is 135% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if they (or someone in their household) participate in SNAP, Medicaid, or other federal assistance programs. This federal benefit provides a monthly discount of up to $9.25, and for those living on Tribal lands, an enhanced discount of up to $34.25 per month. This program ultimately aims to ensure that everyone, regardless of income, has the opportunity to stay connected. Lifeline is a particularly critical resource for those in rural areas, where poverty rates are higher and internet infrastructure is less developed. By making communication more affordable, Lifeline helps bridge the gap, allowing more individuals to access the services and opportunities that connectivity affords.

However, despite the availability and potential benefits of the Lifeline program, its reach remains limited. An estimated 38 million U.S. households are eligible for assistance under Lifeline, yet poor marketing and years of government mismanagement mean that few use it–or even know about it. Many also say that the program must be updated to meet today’s increasing broadband demands, including over a dozen senators who wrote to congressional leaders in 2020 urging for additional funding for Lifeline. As of March 2024, only 7.6 million are currently subscribed. This is a participation rate of just 20% throughout the U.S., an alarming rate. The states with the lowest rates, including Montana, Nebraska, Kansas, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, and New Hampshire, all have participation rates below 10% and tend to be some of the most rural states.

Link Health, a unique organization embedded in healthcare settings, has taken a proactive role in leveraging the Lifeline program to address the digital divide. Recognizing that connectivity is a social determinant of health, Link Health actively enrolls patients in the Lifeline program, ensuring that they have the essential phone and internet services needed to access important resources and maintain contact with healthcare providers. This direct involvement in healthcare settings not only raises awareness about the Lifeline program but also ensures that those who need it most can benefit from it.

Since its inception, Link Health has made a significant impact. Almost 200 patients have been enrolled in the Lifeline program so far this year through their efforts, totaling over $22,000 of money helped distributed, and a majority of these enrollees are racial and ethnic minorities. This is a crucial step towards reducing the digital divide in underserved communities, where minority groups often face compounded disadvantages. By facilitating access to essential digital services, Link Health is not only improving individual health outcomes but also enhancing the overall well-being of these communities.

The success of Link Health underscores the importance of targeted, community-based interventions in bridging the digital divide. However, this is just the beginning. To truly address the digital disparities of rural America, we need to extend and adequately fund programs like Lifeline. This means not only increasing awareness about the availability of such programs but also ensuring that they are sufficiently resourced to meet the growing demand.

Investing in digital infrastructure in rural areas is equally important. While programs like Lifeline make services more affordable, the underlying infrastructure must be robust enough to support widespread connectivity. This requires a concerted effort from both the government and private sector to build and maintain the necessary technology frameworks.

In conclusion, the digital divide in rural America is a multifaceted issue that demands a comprehensive approach. The work of organizations like Link Health demonstrates the positive impact that targeted efforts can have on closing this gap. By expanding and funding programs like Lifeline and investing in digital infrastructure, we can ensure that all Americans, regardless of where they live, have equitable access to essential services. Bridging the digital divide is not just about connecting people to the internet; it’s about connecting them to a better, healthier, and more prosperous future. Now is the time to act and ensure that no one is left behind in our increasingly digital world.