Sen Blumenthal to FCC: Broadband subsidies would help veterans

Expanding phone subsidies for low-income Americans to include broadband Internet service would help veterans, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) said in a letter to Federal Communications Chairman Tom Wheeler. The letter, also addressed to Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald, urged them to work to expand veteran access to the program, called Lifeline.

Ranking Member Blumenthal said the program could best serve veterans if it was expanded to include subsidies for broadband service. “Veterans can use the Lifeline Program discount to improve access to the technology that will allow them to contact VA for benefits or medical appointments, or to communicate with potential employers or housing providers,” he wrote. “The proposal to expand the Lifeline program to broadband, would help veterans access affordable quality health care services.”