For most Westerners in 2026, the Internet seems a ubiquitous monolith- this is the main channel through which we are now connecting with not only friends and family, but also our schools, jobs, banks, and our healthcare providers.

However, over 30 years after the Internet went public, over 7 million Americans still do not own a computer or smartphone. An even greater portion (34 million) lack access to working broadband internet at home. The digital divide is heavily weighted against rural populations- a 2022 study showed that at least 15% of rural households do not own computers. Since the COVID pandemic, millions of Americans across the country have been utilizing telehealth to see their health care providers more easily. Unfortunately, our rural residents are being left out of the telehealth innovation.

Rural residents also face disproportionally increased physical and mental health risks, while their communities grapple with Health Provider Shortages. Roughly 20% of the US population lives in rural areas, but only 10% of doctors do, and the most rural Americans must travel over 30 minutes by car to reach an acute care facility.

Virtual Health Access Map

Rural communities are desperate for healthcare that is close to home. PulseTRC’s Virtual Health Access Map (VHA map) includes a directory of local providers offering telehealth, and a list of Telehealth Access Points- these are free, private locations with the necessary technology to access a telehealth appointment. We want to get patients connected with providers through the use of broadband internet.

We are reaching out to communities in our region to grow the VAH map. The first layer of the map includes provider services- we are looking for general or specialty care providers that provide in-person, virtual, or both types of services. Additionally, we want to grow a list of community Telehealth Access Points (TAPs). All that is required for a TAP is a private, dedicated space with a high-speed internet connection, a computer/tablet with a working camera and microphone, and staff willing to help out with any tech issues that arise when a patient is getting connected. A TAP can be set up to connect with a specific/provider clinic, a third-party telehealth platform, or it can be a generalized set-up for a patient to log into any telehealth platform.

Current TAPs include public libraries and community centers- these organizations have a small room dedicated to telehealth appointments and it may be “reserved” for use ahead of time. Again, we strongly recommend that TAPs have staff available only to help with technical issues– they will not need to assist with the actual appointment in any way.

Learn more about TAPs in libraries here.

TAP Best Practice Guide

Registration for providers or TAPS is completely free- see below for registration forms.

Register your Telehealth Access Point (TAP) here.
Register your provider services here.

Download a brochure about our Virtual Health Access Map.

Potential Grant Funding

Starting this year, the Rural Health Transformation Program will be awarding funds to all 50 states to improve their rural health services over the next 5 years, and a main component of the program includes “use of innovative technologies that promote… access to digital health tools”. As of February 2026, all states are still in the budgeting process, but soon local organizations will be able to apply for funds from their state government. The creation of Telehealth Access Points might be an effective use of grant money for largely rural states such as Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

Data Sources

https://digitunity.org/32-9-million-people-cant-access-critical-us-government-services-due-to-lack-of-a-computer/

https://digitunity.org/rural-digital-divide/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21835177643&gbraid=0AAAAApB8S23kIyrvwz7HooBCHqO8ry-Fp&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtfXMBhDzARIsAJ0jp3BDOrhIMp2b9pFxEWpYBIFCF_3eibwAOskuap-B8i6KMXQkSFQ2ILQaAo9XEALw_wcB

https://www.cdc.gov/rural-health/php/about/index.html

https://www.aha.org/system/files/2019-02/rural-report-2019.pdf