Bill Overview
Title: Connect Unserved Americans Act of 2022
Description: This bill modifies administration of and requirements for broadband deployment programs. Specifically, it requires the Department of the Treasury to participate in interagency activities to coordinate federally supported broadband deployment. The bill also increases the percentage (from 50% to 80%) of rural households that a project must serve in order to receive a grant or a loan to expand access to broadband for distance learning and telemedicine in rural areas.
Sponsors: Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large]
Target Audience
Population: Rural Households with Inadequate Broadband Access
Estimated Size: 21000000
- The legislation aims to improve broadband access, which is crucial for distance learning and telemedicine.
- Distance learning and telemedicine are particularly important in rural areas where schools and medical facilities may be limited.
- The bill targets unserved rural households, implying those currently without access to adequate broadband services.
- The impact will be felt by individuals in areas that were previously underserved by broadband infrastructure.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily targets rural households without broadband access, aiming to improve internet connectivity for distance learning and telemedicine. Therefore, the population most impacted will be rural students, educators, healthcare workers, and patients who rely on digital resources.
- We expect to see varying levels of impact: individuals currently without any access will experience a high impact, whereas those with existing but inadequate broadband may see a medium impact. Those not dependent on internet access for these services will be least affected.
- The financial limitation implies that initially, not all identified households will receive services, so the policy's reach may vary by region and local infrastructure needs.
- The wellbeing scores under the 'policy' and 'no-policy' scenarios will differ significantly for those directly impacted, especially in terms of educational and health outcomes over time.
- Given the significant upfront investment, the impact on wellbeing is expected to increase rapidly in the first few years and stabilize as the infrastructure matures.
Simulated Interviews
Student (Rural Iowa)
Age: 16 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could really help me with my studies. Now, I have to go to the library to use the internet.
- If it works as promised, my grades and access to resources could significantly improve.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Telemedicine Nurse (Rural Kentucky)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With better broadband, I could work from home more often, saving time and money.
- It would also help in consultations with patients who find it hard to travel.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired (Rural Mississippi)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better internet would mean I can consult my doctor without leaving home, which is difficult for me now.
- It would be easier to keep in touch with my family too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Elementary School Teacher (Rural Appalachia)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could improve educational resources at school and help students who don't have access at home.
- Access to more online educational tools could greatly enhance the learning experience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Software Developer (Urban Colorado)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy doesn't impact me much since my internet is already very good.
- I support it though, as it can help others in rural areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Farmer (Rural Northern California)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Connecting to better internet means I can access more markets online and manage supplies better.
- It will definitely boost my business.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Homemaker (Rural Alabama)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the internet improves, I can do more video calls with my family, which makes me happy.
- It's important for emergency services as well.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Freelance Artist (Suburban Texas)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the focus on rural areas is good, but it doesn't directly affect my current work.
- Affordable internet in rural areas could inspire new artists to join the platform, though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Community Health Worker (Rural New Mexico)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Telehealth and training programs would be much more effective with better broadband access.
- It could help us provide better care and education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (Rural Minnesota)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Broadband could help with online marketing and management tools.
- It would also help in setting up an online delivery service.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000000 (Low: $4000000000, High: $6000000000)
Year 2: $5050000000 (Low: $4020000000, High: $6060000000)
Year 3: $5100500000 (Low: $4040100000, High: $6120600000)
Year 5: $5202010000 (Low: $4080410000, High: $6241220000)
Year 10: $5505040500 (Low: $4202005000, High: $6762424000)
Year 100: $140257490500 (Low: $106708421250, High: $172808559750)
Key Considerations
- The cost estimates are highly sensitive to the geographic distribution of target households and the cost of infrastructure in those areas.
- The effectiveness of interagency coordination by the Treasury will be crucial in managing costs and maximizing deployment outcomes.
- Achieving the coverage increase from 50% to 80% of rural households could be challenging given existing infrastructure gaps.
- There's a need for careful monitoring to ensure the grants and loans are effectively utilized to achieve desired broadband penetration in rural areas.