Honoring Veterans November 11: Recommitting to the ACP – Every year on November 11, we come together to pay tribute to the incredible men and women who have answered our nation’s call to duty. We express our gratitude for their unwavering service and sacrifice. This Veterans Day, let’s ensure that our veterans never find themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide. This year, our commitment to veterans should also encompass a dedication to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
Over 800,000 households with veterans are part of the ACP, a program that offers a discount of up to $30 per month for internet service in eligible households and up to $75 per month for those on qualifying Tribal lands. For these veterans, the ACP is nothing short of a lifeline, a critical connection to the digital world.
In 2019, the Federal Communications Commission reported that 15 percent of veteran households had no access to the internet. Notably, veterans with the lowest incomes are the ones most likely to lack broadband access at home, primarily due to financial constraints.
The Lifeline of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
Under the leadership of President Donald Trump and in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the FCC introduced the Emergency Broadband Benefit. This initiative witnessed a remarkable expansion of telehealth and virtual care services by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Services like VA Video Connect were used extensively to provide healthcare to veteran patients. In just one year, between January 2020 and January 2021, the number of telehealth appointments offered by the Department skyrocketed by an astounding 1,831 percent.
Recognizing the critical importance of connecting veterans and other underserved communities to the internet, Congress transformed the Emergency Broadband Benefit into the Affordable Connectivity Program through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The ACP became a long-term commitment by the FCC to facilitate internet access for veterans and others, ensuring they remained connected to vital telehealth services, educational opportunities, and workforce development programs.
From Emergency Benefit to Long-Term Commitment
However, the ACP’s future is in jeopardy as it faces a funding shortfall, potentially leaving over 800,000 veterans without internet access or facing increased monthly bills. President Joe Biden has taken steps to fully fund the ACP through 2024, but Congress has yet to act on this crucial matter.
We cannot let this happen.
As Governor Jim Justice (R-WV) aptly puts it, “By maximizing the federal government’s new Affordable Connectivity Program, we have an opportunity to get eligible households in our state the assistance they need to pay for internet.” His words ring true.
Governor Kate Ivy (R-AL) echoed this sentiment, stating, “The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a valuable resource for Alabamians to receive support for internet access and devices, making significant strides in eliminating coverage gaps in our state.” She is absolutely right.
Veterans Day: Recommitting to the ACP
For half a century, the United States has relied on our all-volunteer military. Those brave individuals who stepped forward and said, “I will go” deserve more than just parades and words of thanks. This Veterans Day, we must recommit ourselves to our veterans and to the ACP, the program that keeps them connected to a brighter future.
