Federal Communications Commission

The Federal Communications Commission released guidance earlier this week permitting states and managed care plans to make calls, or robocalls, and send text messages under certain circumstances without violating federal law. The FCC’s ruling comes in response to a letter from the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services requesting an exception to the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Law as states reach out to enrollees to raise awareness of forthcoming Medicaid eligibility redeterminations. The federal guidance clarifies how states working with local government agencies and managed care companies may, under certain circumstances, make robo calls or send autodialed text messages

On December 31, 2021, the FCC has launched the Affordable Connectivity Program, the $14.2 billion successor program to the Emergency Broadband Benefit which has helped almost 9 million afford internet access during the pandemic. This program was created by Congress in the Infrastructure and Jobs Act, and replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit program. This investment in broadband affordability will help ensure households can afford the internet connections they need for work, school, health care and more.