The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee announced it hold a legislative hearing entitled “Legislating to Secure America’s Wireless Future.” on Tuesday, September 24, 2019. “In order to pave the way for America’s wireless future, our networks must be secure and employ cutting edge technology to harness the power of our airwaves,” said Chairmen Pallone and Doyle. “We look forward to pushing ahead with legislation to root-out suspect network equipment nationwide and explore ways to improve coordination and management of spectrum resources to better serve the American people.”
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The Regulatory Mix Today: US House Hearing on Wireless Security, FCC Automated Connections Between Medicaid and the Lifeline Database
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The FCC announced that a nationwide automated connection between the Medicaid program and the Lifeline National Eligibility Verifier went live on Tuesday, September 17. The connection between the two databases means that the eligibility of up to 60% of the Lifeline-eligible population can be confirmed automatically. This will streamline the process for both subscribers and service providers, and result in more effective protection against waste, fraud, and abuse.
“This partnership between Medicaid and Lifeline is a major step in the implementation of the Verifier,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “I would like to thank CMS Administrator Seema Verma for her agency’s work with us to bring the economic, educational, and social benefits of Lifeline-enabled broadband to low-income Americans, while helping us reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in the program.”
Said Administrator Verma, “Americans deserve a government that functions efficiently, and delivering on that promise requires a commitment to innovation and partnership. Sharing our data with our federal partners strengthens program integrity, protects taxpayer dollars, and improves customer service.”
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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of an Inteserra Briefing.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 30, 2019