Regulatory Action Center Review - August 25, 2020

Welcome to the new and improved Regulatory Action Center (RAC) Review! RAC proudly keeps you up to date on what we’re up to and what we’re keeping our eyes on here in the swamp. We offer resources for you to get involved in the rulemaking process to hold unelected bureaucrats accountable and occasionally offer praise in the event they have a good impulse. We will also highlight the incredible work our activists have done to advance the principles of smaller government, lower taxes, free markets, personal liberty, and the rule of law. For more ways to get involved and stay informed, check the links at the bottom of this post.

RACtivists by the Numbers

Since President Trump took office on January 20, 2017, FreedomWorks RACtivists have submitted 122,913 comments to regulatory agencies urging swift deregulation of our economy. These comments were spread out over 50 different dockets/comment periods.

Four Things to Know

1) FCC Targets the ‘Robocall Scourge’

Chairman Ajit Pai is proposing new changes that would greatly reduce the amount of illegal robocalls consumers get to their cell phones. These include relaxing rules regarding carriers proactively blocking these malicious phone numbers, combating fake caller ID numbers, better verification, and many more. This series of changes is open for comment until September 29th.

More resources on this proposal:

The proposed rule: HERE

FCC release: HERE

Some potential concerns via Digital Liberty: HERE

2) Telehealth Gets Growing Support

The use of telehealth grew faster in the past five months than in the preceding 25 years alone. In a report from the Department of Health and Human Services, telehealth visits accounted for nearly half of all Medicare primary-care visits in April alone and nearly 1 in 2 consumers have used telehealth to replace a cancelled in-person appointment. And both private industry and governments at all levels have been working to expand the use of telehealth practices.

More resources on this:

HHS Report: HERE

Trump Executive Order on Telehealth: HERE

Bipartisan White Paper: HERE

3) HHS Recommends ‘Stealth Alcohol Prohibition’

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) is an independent advisory board appointed by the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services (HHS). The 20 members, all nationally recognized experts, review scientific evidence on topics and questions identified by either department, and are responsible for updating every five years the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). The Committee recently issued its recommendations for the 2020 DGA. It proposed to reduce the Guidelines’ definition of moderate drinking for men from the current recommendation of up to two drinks per day to no more than one drink.

More resources on this:

Serious flaws exposed: HERE

Impact on US businesses: HERE

4) Department of Education Issues New Rule on Distance Learning

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos issued final rules today that govern distance learning in higher education and promote educational innovation to better serve the needs of an increasingly diverse population of students. While work on the Distance Learning and Innovation regulation started more than a year ago, the COVID-19 national emergency underscores the need for students to have access to high-quality remote learning options.

More resources on this rule:

Department release: HERE

The Final Rule: HERE

Department Fact Sheet: HERE

RAC Resources

You can always find all RAC content (blogs, updates, press releases, and comment campaigns) HERE.

You can always sign up to become an elite RACtivist, if you haven’t already, HERE.