Inside U.S. Regulations

This episode covers key regulatory developments including FCC proposals on Lifeline and spectrum management, California's public health funding protection, FDA’s iPLEDGE REMS changes, disaster relief for California businesses, and a major labor settlement with Kaiser Foundation Health Plan.

Show Notes

Welcome to Carver's USA Regulatory Updates.

In this episode, we explore the FCC’s advancement of pivotal proposals including updates to the Lifeline program, aimed at improving discounted communications services for low-income consumers, and revisions to 900 MHz spectrum rules and FM translator application limits to better optimize spectrum use.

We highlight California Attorney General Rob Bonta's successful temporary restraining order preventing the federal termination of over $600 million in public health grants, protecting critical state health programs.

The FDA’s recent approval of changes to the iPLEDGE Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) now permits at-home pregnancy testing during and after treatment, streamlining patient care by removing prior waiting periods.

We cover disaster relief initiatives as the Small Business Administration declares a disaster for California following late 2025 storms, providing Economic Injury Disaster Loans to affected small businesses and nonprofits to aid recovery.

Finally, the Department of Labor’s significant settlement with Kaiser Foundation Health Plan reforms insurer practices related to mental health and substance use disorder care, including a $28 million reimbursement and penalties.

For more information, visit the Carver Agents website.

Articles mentioned:
  1. Attorney General Bonta Secures Emergency Order Protecting over $600 Million in Public Health Funding
  2. Questions and Answers on the iPLEDGE REMS
  3. 赤澤経済産業大臣がグリア米国通商代表主催の重要鉱物に関する貿易大臣会合に出席しました
  4. Domestic Section 214 Application Filed For The Aquisition Of Certain Assets Of FiberLight, LLC By Charter Fiberlink-Georgia, LLC
  5. View Comments
  6. Building the Strategic Supply Chain Network
  7. iPLEDGE Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS)
  8. 91 FR 5729
  9. SBA Offers Relief to California Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by 2025 Late December Storms
  10. US Department of Labor, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan reach settlement to reform insurer’s practices on mental health, substance use disorder care
  11. Administrative Proceeding - Thomas J. Corsaro
  12. US Department of Labor recovers nearly $62K in back wages for 11 workers denied full tips by Denver restaurant
  13. CISA’s 2025 Year in Review: Driving Security and Resilience Across Critical Infrastructure
  14. Instant Payments Give Suncoast Credit Union Members Faster Access to Their Money
  15. Passive investors and loan spreads
  16. Partnership with West Virginia Leads to 650 Illegal Alien Arrested in 2 Weeks Including Drug Traffickers, Violent Offenders, and Burglars
  17. Lisa D Cook: Economic outlook
  18. Zelle® Posts 20% Growth with $1.2 Trillion Sent, Far Outpacing Consumer Spending and Cementing Its Role in the U.S. Economy
  19. US hiring soars past expectations as unemployment edges down
  20. February 2026 Open Commission Meeting

What is Inside U.S. Regulations?

Regulatory news, updates, and insights for USA presented by the Carver Agents team

Welcome to Carver's USA Regulatory Updates for February 15, 2026.

The Federal Communications Commission is moving forward with several key proposals in its February open commission meeting. Among the topics under consideration are updates to the Lifeline program, which provides discounted phone and internet services to low-income consumers. The FCC is also reviewing rules related to the 900 MHz band spectrum use and setting application limits for noncommercial educational FM translators. These measures aim to enhance service accessibility and optimize spectrum management.

In public health news, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has secured a temporary restraining order preventing the federal government from terminating over $600 million in public health grants. The order addresses concerns about alleged political animus targeting specific states, ensuring continued funding for critical health programs.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved important changes to the iPLEDGE Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, or REMS. These modifications now allow patients to use at-home pregnancy tests during and after treatment, while pre-treatment tests remain in clinical settings. Additionally, the waiting period for repeat pregnancy tests following a missed prescription window has been removed, streamlining patient care.

Turning to disaster relief, the Small Business Administration has declared a disaster for California following late December 2025 storms. Economic Injury Disaster Loans are now available to eligible small businesses and private nonprofits affected by the severe weather, providing vital working capital support for recovery efforts.

The Department of Labor has reached a significant settlement with Kaiser Foundation Health Plan to reform insurer practices regarding mental health and substance use disorder care. Kaiser will pay at least $28 million to cover out-of-network service costs and a $2.8 million penalty. The settlement also mandates policy reforms to improve access and coverage for these essential health services.

In labor enforcement, the Department of Labor recovered nearly $62,000 in back wages for 11 workers at a Denver restaurant. Investigations found unlawful withholding of employee tips, failure to record all hours worked, and non-compliance with required labor postings.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, released its 2025 year in review highlighting efforts to strengthen critical infrastructure security. CISA published over 1,600 security products, responded to more than 30,000 incidents, blocked billions of malicious connections, and led multiple security exercises to enhance national resilience.

On the technology front, Suncoast Credit Union has joined the RTP® network to offer instant payments to its members. Initially enabling receive-only functionality, the credit union plans to roll out send capabilities, providing faster access to funds and improving customer experience.

In telecommunications, Charter Fiberlink-Georgia, LLC has filed a domestic Section 214 application with the FCC to acquire certain assets of FiberLight, LLC. The acquisition includes Rural Digital Opportunity Fund support and related obligations for specific census block groups in Georgia, consolidating broadband infrastructure efforts.

Internationally, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry attended a ministerial meeting hosted by the United States Trade Representative focused on critical minerals. The discussions centered on securing stable supply chains and strengthening collaboration among allied countries to support economic and security interests.

In enforcement news, a partnership in West Virginia led to the arrest of 650 illegal aliens over two weeks, including drug traffickers, violent offenders, and burglars. This operation highlights intensified regulatory and law enforcement collaboration targeting illegal immigration and related criminal activities.

Finally, the U.S. labor market continues to show strength. January 2026 saw job growth exceed expectations with 130,000 new jobs added, and the unemployment rate edged down to 4.3 percent. This data reflects ongoing resilience despite economic uncertainties.

Thank you for listening to Carver's updates. For more details, visit us at carveragents.ai.