Proposed Telehealth Act Aligns with CHIME’s Goals to Improve Access and Connected Care

ANN ARBOR, MI, Feb. 5, 2020 – Today U.S. Reps. Greg Gianforte (R-MT) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA) introduced bipartisan legislation to facilitate the use of telehealth across the U.S. The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) supports the National Telehealth Strategy and Data Advancement Act, whose introduction moves health and care one step closer to realizing the promise of telehealth and connected care.

 

If passed, the act would establish a framework and evidence base around telehealth to help transform how care is delivered in the U.S. Rather than requiring the patient to come to a healthcare organization, the system would take care to the patient.

 

“Ultimately, this is about improving access to care and extending the reach of the American healthcare system all while leveraging modern-day technology,” said Russell Branzell, president and CEO of CHIME. “We commend Congressman Gianforte and Congresswoman Eshoo for their leadership on this issue.”

 

The National Telehealth Strategy and Data Advancement Act will improve federal coordination among the various federal agencies and departments that presently are involved with funding telehealth. This legislation creates a cohesive pathway forward, which ultimately can be used to make informed funding decisions around telehealth in the future. Understanding where federal monies are being spent and where telehealth is providing value will drive better care outcomes and efficiencies.

 

“Little or no coordination between federal agencies hampers our ability to extend the reach of telehealth services, and too often the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing. My bill fixes this,” said Gianforte.

 

Eshoo built on this by adding, “Telehealth has the potential to transform healthcare for every American. This bipartisan legislation will improve the way telehealth is delivered by providers and accessed by patients so all Americans, regardless of whether they live in rural towns or urban centers, can benefit from accessible, affordable telehealth.”

 

About CHIME

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) is an executive organization dedicated to serving chief information officers (CIOs), chief medical information officers (CMIOs), chief nursing information officers (CNIOs), chief innovation officers (CIOs), chief digital officers (CDOs) and other senior healthcare IT leaders. With more than 3,200 members in 56 countries and over 150 healthcare IT business partners and professional services firms, CHIME provides a highly interactive, trusted environment enabling senior professional and industry leaders to collaborate, exchange best practices, address professional development needs and advocate the effective use of information management to improve the health and care in the communities they serve. For more information, please visit chimecentral.org.

 

Contact

Candace Stuart

Director of Communications and Public Relations, CHIME

734.665.0000