Hearing Description: The Health subcommittee recently met to question witnesses on the advances in telemedicine and the delivery of care using technology. The panel was in agreement that telemedicne would continue to get more ingrained in the delivery of care. All were in agreement that technology will continue to advance and make care more efficient.
Hearing Date: May 1st, 2014
Hearing Summary: Prepared for AAPS by the Market Institute
The Health subcommittee met to examine how advancing technology can help patients, particularly in rural communities, gain access to physicians and specialists through the use of telemedicine. Chairman Joe Pitts (R-PA) said in his in his opening statement virtual doctor visits are one way to help address provider shortages, particularly in rural areas. Telemedicine can allow in-home monitoring of chronically ill patients and facilitate patient education. The purpose of the hearing is to explore the types of technologies that hold great promise, and hear ideas that allow the federal government to realize this potential to reduce costs, improve efficiencies, and ensure quality in our health care programs.
Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) said in his opening statement that as new demands are placed on the healthcare system, they should actively be looking to leverage technology for healthcare delivery. Telemedicine increases the reach of treatment. The elderly and physically disabled could easily be treated in their own home. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) said in his opening statement that the nation’s broadband network is changing the delivery of healthcare, and telemedicine is helping make care more efficient.
The first witness, Dr. Rashid Bashshur, Executive Director for eHealth at University of Michigan Health System testified in his opening statement that telemedicine development has accelerated in recent years due to it’s goal of addressing access, cost and quality. There is a growing body of evidence that telemedicine increases efficiency and quality of care. When implemented properly, telemedicine creates enhanced care coordination and continuity of care at different sites.
The second witness, Dr. Ateev Mehrotra, Policy Analyst at Rand Corporation andAssociate Professor of Health Care Policy and Medicine, Harvard Medical School testified in his opening statement that new care options will hopefully address how to delivery care in a more timely manner. While most published studies have shown that telecare can be as effective as in person care, it should not be assumed that technology always leads to better outcomes. There have been cases in which physicians are more inclined to take a conservative approach to care using eHealth. Even though telemedicine is aimed at providing care for those with limited provider options in their area, it has been shown that even those people in urban areas prefer to use a telehealth option. The growth of telehealth requires oversight to ensure that these new delivery models do three things: provide high-quality care, improve access to those who need it most, and are utilized in a cost-effective manner.
The third witness, Dr. Tom Beeman, President and Chief Executive Officer at Lancaster General Health testified in his opening statement that analytics from health technologies are fundamental for managing populations. Leveraging registries to summarize patient and practice-panel level data allow our providers to have real-time actionable data for wellness visits. Mobile devices such as iPads are also used by patients prior to seeing their care team members to review personal and family medical history, track current symptoms, and respond to questions.
The fourth witness, Gary Chard, Delaware State Director at Parkinson’s Action Network testified in his opening statement that the employment of telehealth technology is not limited to benefit only persons with Parkinson’s or people in deep rural communities; but it is an asset that can provide safe, secure, and in-depth diagnostic and evaluative care to the immobile and infirm. Part of the invaluable experience of telehealth is the real-time visit with specialists. The improvements of this technology serve to enhance and expedite the one-on-one interaction with a specialist, not detract from it. He believes telemedicine is a present day solution to address the problem of access to care.
The fifth witness, Kofi Jones, VP of Public Affairs at American Well testified in her opening statement that telehealth brings healthcare directly to the patient, when and where
they need it. It is the latest tool to improve access and quality of care, while doing it in a cost-efficient manner using a patient-centered approach. Technology offers the opportunity to move care to lower cost settings. Momentum for telehealth is accelerating at an undeniable rate.
In response to questioning, Dr. Ateev Mehrotra said:
- Many of the technologies have a double edged sword, telemedicine can help many people, but it can also be overused
In response to questioning, Tom Beeman said:
- Telemedicine allows for care to come to the patient and potentially avoid repeat Emergency Room visits
Hearing Website:
http://energycommerce.house.gov/hearing/telehealth-digital-medicine-how-21st-century-technology-can-benefit-patients
Links to Testimony:
Dr. Rashid Bashshur
Executive Director for eHealth, University of Michigan Health System
Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan School of Public Health
Witness Testimony (Truth in Testimony and CV)
Dr. Ateev Mehrotra
Policy Analyst, Rand Corporation
Associate Professor of Health Care Policy and Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Witness Testimony (Truth in Testimony and CV)
Dr. Tom Beeman
President and Chief Executive Officer
Lancaster General Health
Witness Testimony (Truth in Testimony and CV)
Gary Chard
Deleware State Director
Parkinson’s Action Network
Witness Testimony (Truth in Testimony and CV)
Kofi Jones
Vice President of Public Affairs
American Well
Witness Testimony (Truth in Testimony and CV)
