Moving Telehealth Forward
FCC Initiatives:
A bipartisan bill introduced last week in the U.S. House of Representatives would significantly increase the availability of telemedicine for all Americans. H.R. 2068, introduced by Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA), Bart Stupak (D-MI), Lee Terry (R-NE) and Sam Johnson (R-TX), would expand Medicare reimbursement to urban and suburban areas, include more facilities, and allow for the monitoring of patients remotely. “As healthcare becomes more expensive, we need to use smart innovations such as telemedicine technology to help lower costs and expand access for all Americans,” said Congressman Thompson. “Allowing doctors to remotely monitor a patient who has congestive heart failure could not only help a patient stay healthy, it could also reduce costly visits to the emergency room. The Obama Administration has indicated that telemedicine will be an important part of their health care reform agenda, and I look forward to working with them to expand access to this important technology.” “Where you live shouldn’t determine the quality of healthcare you receive. Technology has advanced to allow doctors to take care of patients in any location. It’s time to modernize Medicare to make it even more accessible,” said Congressman Johnson. The sponsors of H.R. 2068 are members of the House Committees on Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce, the two principal House committees charged with drafting the House version of Health Care Reform.
Click here for a summary of H.R. 2068 and other telehealth-related legislation.
Click here for the news release issued by the bill’s sponsors.
