Rewrite of telecom law could help hard of hearing, Matheson says

TAYLORSVILLE — Assuming he wins re-election in November, Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, is planning to take part in a rewrite of the nation's telecommunications law — something that hasn't happened since 1996.

"The U.S., for whatever reason, is way behind most industrial countries on broadband development," Matheson said during a town hall meeting Tuesday. In 1996, people didn't even know what broadband is, he told a group of deaf and partially deaf residents at the Sanderson Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

The nation's lack of leadership in broadband development is unfortunate, he said.

Attendees chimed in that more broadband development would allow deaf and partially deaf citizens from rural areas to communicate better and have access to more information.

Matheson said he plans to consult with deaf and hearing-impaired Utahns on portions of future legislation that could affect them. Matheson serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees telecommunications legislation.

Residents asked Matheson what could be done about the job market, which is tough for people without a hearing impairment.

"It's 10 times harder if you're deaf or hard of hearing," one woman signed. "People are not as willing to hire you."

Matheson said the economy is in a dire position, but extending tax cuts, funding infrastructure projects, reviewing the tax code for areas that discourage investment in research and creating energy efficiency standards for commercial buildings can cut costs and pump more money into the economy.

"I believe that it's important, in the public policy world, to look for public policy that helps encourage economic growth and job creation," he said.

One resident asked how Matheson would like to fix health care, and he briefly outlined his ideas: Eliminate the practice of doctors performing unnecessary tests; eliminate compensation for doctors for each procedure, and change to a focus on quality; cut down administrative costs; and create uniformity in codes and forms.

He said it will take Democrats and Republicans, acting in a statesmanlike way, to enact the needed reforms.

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