Congress approved another $310 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses yesterday. The first round of funding went quickly, and the money went to some not-so-small businesses such as Potbelly Sandwich Shop and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. The next round of money needs to be better targeted to ensure that small businesses receive the money. But there is some good news. According to Politico, “The Federal Reserve on Thursday announced it will reveal every month the names of companies that borrow under its massive emergency lending programs, as it faces intense pressure to be transparent about its use of bailout money. The central bank said it will disclose ‘substantial amounts of information’ for its emergency facilities that are backed by billions of dollars in funds in the economic relief package passed last month by Congress. That includes the names of participants, how much they borrowed and at what rate, and the overall costs, revenue and fees for each emergency facility, it said.” This is something that the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) pushed for before one vote was even cast. So, let’s call it a victory. I think we all need one right now.
Profiles in Courage…Doctors Without Borders
TPA has complained a lot about the World Health Organization (WHO). The next step in this process is to find a way to promote healthy living around the globe without the nonsense (and malfeasance) from the WHO. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), aka Doctors Without Borders, is running critical healthcare programs in more than seventy countries from the U.S. to Yemen and could do a far better job of managing taxpayer dollars and protecting public health than the WHO.
For example, MSF has been providing relief in Burkina Faso since 1995 (with a brief hiatus from 2015 to 2017), delivering medical aid via mobile clinics, running preventative programs, training community health workers, and distributing drinking water. MSF also has an active presence in Yemen, where beleaguered residents must deal with famine, flood, and constant bombardment by Saudi Arabia. Even after MSF was forced to suspend activities in certain areas in Yemen in 2018 in response to escalating attacks, MSF continued to care for displaced families that lacked healthcare access and didn’t even have soap or running water. In addition, the organization has treated thousands of cases of cholera in the country while having to pivot to Coronavirus. Along the way, unfortunately, MSF has had to deal with uncooperative partners – including the WHO. For example, in 2019, MSF found that the WHO was unnecessarily rationing Ebola vaccine in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The withheld vaccine could have inoculated 2,500 Congolese residents per day, but the WHO failed to satisfactorily explain why it was rationing the critical supplies. MSF emergency coordinator described the situation as similar to, “giving firefighters a bucket of water to put out a fire, but only allowing them to use one cup of water a day.” Nor has the WHO explained why its annual budget per employee is astronomically higher than the budgets of organizations such as MSF.
MSF has an annual budget of $1.7 billion and employs 36,000 doctors, nurses, healthcare personnel, and administrative staff. Average, annual per-employee spending is around $47,000. In contrast, the WHO has an annual budget of $2.4 billion and employs 7,000 personnel which averages out to an astounding $343,000 per employee. Depending on the year, WHO spends $25,000 to $30,000 on travel per employee, compared to around $500 per MSF employee. Shifting funding away from the WHO and toward organizations such as MSF would prove a far better use of taxpayer dollars and lead to more lives saved per dollar spent.
Fortunately, President Trump’s announcement that the U.S. is halting funding for the WHO provides an opportunity to shift these funds around and more adequately fund MSF’s mission. But until then, the least we can do is recognize Doctors Without Borders’ many achievements and award them a Profile in Courage.
Staying Connected During the Pandemic
One of the unsung heroes of this pandemic has been the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). You are probably laughing that a seemingly obscure federal agency would be “heroic.” But, let’s take a look at the situation. Millions of people have been forced to work from home, and when people aren’t working, they’re binging on Netflix or Hulu…or binging on food ordered by Grubhub or another food platform. Telehealth has also been critical as millions of Americans are connecting with healthcare professionals via apps and online platforms. Because of the leadership of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and the investments made by the private sector, the internet and wireless networks are humming along with few problems so folks can successfully binge.
Beginning back in December 2017, Chairman Pai started the process of eliminating onerous Title II regulations that were hindering the growth of the internet. The new regulations were finalized in June 2018 and broadband investment skyrocketed. Chairman Pai has also made it his mission to develop 5G (the next generation of wireless) and make more wireless spectrum available with a public auction of the C-Band. Under his leadership, the FCC has also strived to make better use of 5.9 GHz spectrum (laying fallow at the Department of Transportation) and the L-Band of spectrum. And, yesterday, the FCC voted unanimously to free up 1200 MHz of the 6 GHz band of spectrum for unlicensed use. Why is this important to TPA? More wireless spectrum means a faster internet that will help close the digital divide and grow the economy. This is a win-win-win for consumers, taxpayers, and businesses.
Meanwhile, the next generation of wireless, 5G, is being deployed without taxpayer dollars. In fact, by selling the C-Band wireless spectrum, taxpayers are making money. These moves show that Chairman Pai had a compelling vision for a turbocharged digital domain way before the pandemic started. Other agencies could take a lesson in leadership from Chairman Pai and the FCC.
Blogs:
Monday: The President Delivers the Truth About the Post Office
Tuesday: Trump to Halt US Funding for WHO, Following a Precedent Set by President Carter
Wednesday: Drivers: The Unsung Heroes of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Wednesday: Watchdog Urges Careful Oversight Over New Coronavirus Relief Funds
Thursday: Watchdog Praises FCC for Voting to Open 6 GHz Band for Unlicensed Use
Friday: Profile in Courage: Médecins Sans Frontières aka Doctors Without Borders
Media:
April 17, 2020: PatientDaily mentioned the Coalition Against Rate Setting in its article, “Organization asks legislators to reject rate setting measures in next coronavirus relief bill.”
April 20, 2020: WBFF (Fox, Baltimore) interviewed me about the World Health Organization.
April 20, 2020: LifeSite quoted TPA in their article, “Facebook combats coronavirus ‘misinformation’ by citing pro-China World Health Organization.”
April 21, 2020: Hearst Television interviewed me about oversight of the relief bills.
April 21, 2020: The New York Times mentioned TPA in their article, “Coronavirus Takes Over Political Advertising.”
April 21, 2020: La Voz de Rosario (Argentina) mentioned TPA in their story, “Coalición Internacional demanda que investiguen a la OMS.”
April 21, 2020: Republica Economica (Argentina) quoted TPA in their story, “Coalición internacional pide investigar a la Organización Mundial de la Salud.”
April 21, 2020: Vision Liberal (Argentina) quoted TPA in their story, “La ineptitud de la OMS convirtió un brote viral en una pandemia.”
April 22, 2020: The Center Square ran TPA’s op-ed, “Approved L-Band plan will turbocharge digital domain.”
April 22, 2020: I appeared on “The Lars Larson Show” (nationally syndicated) to discuss the next relief bill.
April 23, 2020: WBFF (Fox, Baltimore) interviewed me about the next relief bill and Maryland small businesses.
April 23, 2020: I appeared on WBOB Radio (600 AM and 101 FM; Jacksonville, Fla.) to talk about the relief bill and small businesses.
April 23, 2020: Townhall ran TPA’s op-ed, “Big Broadcasters Make Move for Small Business Loans.”
April 23, 2020: FEE quoted TPA in their article, “YouTube to Ban Content That Contradicts WHO on COVID-19, Despite the UN Agency’s Catastrophic Track Record of Misinformation.”
April 23, 2020: TPA Policy Director Ross Marchand appeared on “The Real Side with Joe Messina” (nationally syndicated) to talk about the relief bill and small businesses.
April 24, 2020: The Washington Examiner ran TPA’s op-ed, “Patent protection is needed, now more than ever.”
April 24, 2020: The Center Square ran TPA’s op-ed, “Taxpayers shouldn’t be saddled with broadband infrastructure debt.”
Have a great weekend, stay safe, and as always, thanks for your continued support.
Best,
David Williams
President
Taxpayers Protection Alliance
1401 K Street, NW
Suite 502
Washington, D.C. xxxxxx
www.protectingtaxpayers.org
