British stone. LOUIS, Mo. (1st Alert 4) – Today, it’s almost impossible to do anything without the internet, even apply for a job or see a doctor. But a lot of people in our area don’t have it simply because they can’t afford it.
Now, a program designed to help seniors, students and low-income people get online is disappearing.
Mentouhi Lawrence isn’t letting much stop her. Her skills are top notch and she is very screen savvy. It’s a way to stay connected and manage your life.
“I had to call my specialist to see if my appointment was still available. And I didn’t have a phone number. What did I do? I Googled it,” she said.
That’s why she’s grateful for cheaper internet, thanks to a federal initiative called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
“Internet access is as important as electricity, water or other basic services,” President Joe Biden said.
Established by the federal government in 2021, it provides monthly internet subsidies to eligible households. But this year, Congress failed to extend the deadline, and recently, Mentouhi received an email saying the ACP was ending.
She said she was shocked and angry.
“So, this is going to be a huge shock to me. I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Mentouhi said.
On a fixed income, she said, the $30 difference is the cost of prescription drugs or meals for the month.
“I have to bite the bullet because I need the internet. I have to have it. So I’m going to have to cut back on other things that are equally important,” she said.
“No one should have to choose between food, medicine and the internet,” said Jenny Dunning.
Dunning is affiliated with a group called Show-Me Broadband. She said the end of the ACP would be very disruptive.
“We’re taking away their abilities just to stop them from having a normal life,” she said.
She points to a recent FCC survey in which more than two-thirds of respondents said their connectivity was inconsistent or non-existent before ACP.
Many people in our area are taking advantage of it:
- One in four households in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District (Metro East)
- One in three households in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District. (All of St. Louis City and parts of St. Louis County)
- About one in six households across the state.
“Affordability is the biggest reason why people don’t have internet,” Dunning said.
Dunning said the $1.7 billion provided to Missouri last year for internet infrastructure needs will be wasted if people can’t actually afford the service.
Dunning and others have called for longer-term solutions to keep the internet affordable, especially since Missouri has hundreds of internet service providers, many of them very small.
The Legislature must step in, she said.
“Because we know people have to connect with each other. When you don’t have that connection, it pulls you away,” said Congresswoman Cori Bush.
Bush this year joined dozens of other lawmakers in proposing an extension of the ACP, but the budget bill has passed without any progress.
“I wouldn’t say I hope all hope is lost for the program. But we have to be willing to continue to advocate and push forward. I think making sure broadband is available and making sure those services are readily available,” she said.
“I think people here are eager to take on some fiscal responsibility,” said U.S. Sen. Eric Schmidt.
He said that while he supported getting more people connected to the internet, he pointed to a government report saying the scheme did not do enough to manage potential fraud, even though their recommendations had been implemented.
“We have a debt of $35 trillion. I think we have to take a serious look at not only this plan, but if we’re going to continue this plan, how are we going to pay for it?” he said.
However, Mentuhi said she wanted action to be taken now.
“What do you want to tell lawmakers in Washington about this?” asked investigative reporter Lauren Trager
“Live on my income for a year and see how you cope. I don’t think you’re going to do very well,” Mentouhi said.
Without ACP, she might have had to unplug by the end of the month like so many others.
“This is going to be a huge shock to me. I don’t know what I’m going to do,” she said.
Discussions are ongoing to continue subsidizing internet at the state level, and some internet service providers are discussing continuing to offer low-cost options for those who qualify. The White House has been urging Congress to take action, but that currently appears unlikely. The full discount ends this month, and while some may see partial internet bill payments in May, funds are about to run out.
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