Digital Equity
The COVID-19 pandemic has increasingly shifted many parts of personal and professional life online, calling further attention to issues of digital equity, which has emerged as a key priority for the Coalition. As broadband is regularly used for school, work and telehealth services, affordable high-speed internet is essential for healthcare access as well as the day-to-day functions of life. Yet, estimates show that more than 30 million Americans, the majority of whom live on Tribal lands or in other rural areas, do not have access to broadband infrastructure that delivers reliable service. The Coalition highlights policies that work to close this digital divide, especially as the pandemic continues to affect life across the country.
Resources and Information
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Federal Communications Commission: ‘Eighth Broadband Progress Report”
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Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality database: “Poverty and Access to Internet, by County”
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Journal of Medical Internet Research article: “Digital Health Equity and COVID-19: The Innovation Curve Cannot Reinforce the Social Gradient of Health”
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NJP Digital Medicine journal article: “Digital inclusion as a social determinant of health”
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American Journal of Public Health article: “Broadband Internet Access Is a Social Determinant of Health!”
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Cardiovascular Risk Reports journal article: “Can you see my screen?” Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Telehealth”
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JAMA journal article: “Bridging the Digital Divide to Avoid Leaving the Most Vulnerable Behind”
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Brookings Institute research: “Using digital health to improve health outcomes and equity”
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American Hospital Association article: “Digital Is the Next Frontier of Health Equity”
Broadband Justice Act
H.R. 1904 - Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-NY)
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Introduced on 3/16/21
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34 Co-Sponsors as of 5/18/22
Description
The bill would:
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Update utility allowance definitions in the Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture and Treasury Departments to include broadband as a subsidized utility, recognizing broadband as an essential 21st Century need
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Renovate American subsidized housing infrastructure by retrofitting units with the necessary wiring for high-quality broadband by providing operational funds
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Create a flexible grant program to support wiring buildings, assistance, and other resident support related to installation and utilization of broadband
Status
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The bill remains under consideration by the Committees on Financial Services and Ways and Means
Additional Information
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Rep. Bowman's office press release: "Bowman, Cleaver Introduce Bill to Expand Affordable Broadband to 8 Million Households"
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National Low Housing Income Coalition memo: "Representatives Bowman and Cleaver Introduce Bill to Expand Affordable Broadband Access for Low-Income Tenants"
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The Hill article: "House Democrats introduce legislation to expand affordable broadband access"
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The Verge article: "Rep. Jamaal Bowman introduces new bill to lower broadband costs"
Contact
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For further information about this issue or other legislation in the ELM, please contact Tom Dorney at tdorney@rootcausecoalition.org or Hannah Miller at hmiller@rootcausecoalition.org
Computer and Internet Equity Act
H.R. 2201 - Representative Danny Davis (D-IL)
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Introduced on 3/26/21
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2 Co-Sponsors as of 5/18/22
S. 1023 - Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL)
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Introduced on 3/25/21
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1 Co-Sponsor as of 5/18/22
National Broadband Plan for the Future Act
H.R. 870 - Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA)
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Introduced on 2/5/21
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8 Co-Sponsors as of 5/18/22
S. 279 - Senator Ed Markey (D-MA)
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Introduced on 2/22/21
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No Co-Sponsors as of 5/18/22
Description
The bill would:
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Update utility allowance definitions in the Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture and Treasury Departments to include broadband as a subsidized utility, recognizing broadband as an essential 21st Century need
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Renovate American subsidized housing infrastructure by retrofitting units with the necessary wiring for high-quality broadband by providing operational funds
-
Create a flexible grant program to support wiring buildings, assistance, and other resident support related to installation and utilization of broadband
Status
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The bill remains under consideration by the Committees on Financial Services and Ways and Means
Additional Information
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Rep. Bowman's office press release: "Bowman, Cleaver Introduce Bill to Expand Affordable Broadband to 8 Million Households"
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National Low Housing Income Coalition memo: "Representatives Bowman and Cleaver Introduce Bill to Expand Affordable Broadband Access for Low-Income Tenants"
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The Hill article: "House Democrats introduce legislation to expand affordable broadband access"
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The Verge article: "Rep. Jamaal Bowman introduces new bill to lower broadband costs"
Contact
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For further information about this issue or other legislation in the ELM, please contact Tom Dorney at tdorney@rootcausecoalition.org or Hannah Miller at hmiller@rootcausecoalition.org
Description
The bill would:
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Work to achieve digital equity by requiring the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provide to Congress an updated National Broadband Plan informed by a new report on accessibility and affordability during COVID-19
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Require the FCC to develop and share strategies outlining how connectivity can be used to advance racial justice and socioeconomic equity in health care and education
Status
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The bills remain under consideration by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Additional Information
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Sen. Markey's office press release: “On 25th Anniversary Of 1996 Telecommunications Act, Senator Markey and Congresswoman Eshoo to Reintroduce Legislation Requiring an Updated Roadmap For Universal Connectivity”
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Federal Communications Commission (FCC): The original National Broadband Plan, released on 3/10/10
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The Hill article: “Markey urges bipartisanship in push to update broadband plan”
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Politico article: “25 years of the Telecom Act”
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Roll Call article: “One year in, broadband access and telehealth are two big winners under COVID-19”
Contact
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For further information about this issue or other legislation in the ELM, please contact Tom Dorney at tdorney@rootcausecoalition.org or Hannah Miller at hmiller@rootcausecoalition.org