144 Hill Democrats Urge FCC Work With USDA, HHS to Communicate on Lifeline
Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois and Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota led a Tuesday push with 142 other congressional Democrats for the FCC to “work directly” with the departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services to ensure…
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millions of people who “are newly eligible” for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Medicaid amid the COVID-19 pandemic “are informed of their eligibility” for Lifeline. SNAP and Medicaid had surges in applications because of “financial hardships” caused by the epidemic, and people are dependent on the internet “to access public benefits, search for employment, learn from home, or access telehealth services,” the lawmakers wrote FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. Before the pandemic, 7 million of the 38 million eligible for Lifeline services “were enrolled,” the Democrats said. “The FCC has traditionally issued guidelines for states and telecommunications providers to advertise the Lifeline program,” but direct coordination with USDA and HHS, plus states and stakeholders, is needed “to help ensure people in need are informed” about eligibility. Others who signed include Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, Senate Communications Subcommittee ranking member Brian Schatz of Hawaii, House Communications Subcommittee Vice Chair Doris Matsui of California and Rep. Anna Eshoo of California. The FCC didn’t comment.