The Federal Communications Commission has approved a proposal introduced by Chairman Tom Wheeler to explore ways to subsidize broadband Internet connectivity for poor Americans. The plan would help “pave the way for sweeping changes to a $1.7 billion phone subsidy program… known as Lifeline and initiated in 1985 under President Reagan,” reports The New York Times. Opposition to expanding the program is largely based on concern that the expansion would possibly generate more fraud. To address these concerns, the FCC is introducing new record-keeping requirements for service providers this summer, and has “adopted stricter measures to ensure eligible households claim only one subsidy of $9.25 a month,” explains NYT.