The Honorable Julius Genachowski
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 Twelfth Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
COLLIN C. PETERSON
7TH DISTRICT, MINNESOTA
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
CHAIRMAN
May 24, 2010
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
2211 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20516
TELEPHONE: (202) 225-2166
FAA: (202) 225-1693
INTEANET: www,housB.govfcollinpeters n
Dear Chairman Genachowski,
I am concerned about the Commission's recent proposal to make significant changes to
the Video Relay Service (VRS) compensation process. As you know, VRS enables
Americans who are deafand hard-of-hearing to make routine and emergency calls using
their own language. The Americans with Disabilities Act directs the Commission to
ensure that deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals have access to "functionally equivalent"
telecommunications services nationwide.
I understand that the Commission intends to shift from the long-term compensation
method, to a "cost plus" method which may not account for the real costs ofproviding
VRS. I am concerned that the proposed compensation rate structure could result in
certain VRS providers being paid as much as 50% more than others for the same service.
I encourage the Commission to look carefully at potential severe and unintended
consequences these new rates may have on the deaf community. While I understand that
the VRS compensation program has suffered from a number ofinstances offraud, I fail
to see how this new rate structure will reduce fraud.
We need to ensure that any rate structure is fair, predictable, and will encourage
innovation and advancement.
Sincerely,
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Collin C. Peterson
Member ofCongress
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