WASHINGTON, DC (February 5, 2020): The Health Innovation Alliance today endorsed the bipartisan National Telehealth Strategy and Data Advancement Act, introduced by Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-MT) and Chairwoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA).
The National Telehealth Strategy and Data Advancement Act would elevate telehealth within the Department of Health & Human Services by moving the Office for the Advancement for Telehealth (OAT) from the Health Resources and Services Administration to the Office of the Secretary. Further, the legislation would:
- Require the OAT, no later than one year after enactment, to develop a plan for the adoption, advancement, and coordination of telehealth by federal agencies;
- Standardize the federal telehealth grant processes and data reporting; and
- Ensure information sharing, cross-federal collaboration, and accountability across all federal agencies, among other important provisions.
“Health Innovation Alliance applauds the continued Congressional attention to and support of telehealth services,” said HIA Executive Director Joel White. “It is now abundantly clear that telehealth is a key aspect of ensuring patients, regardless of location, can access care. However, to date, the federal government has not had a coordinated plan to advance telehealth. The National Telehealth Strategy and Data Advancement Act would take important steps toward increased coordination, transparency, and adoption of telehealth. We commend Congressman Gianforte and Chairwoman Eshoo for their leadership on this important issue and look forward to working with them to ensure this bill becomes law.”
Additionally, HIA led an endorsement letter for the National Telehealth Strategy and Data Advancement Act, signed by over a dozen organizations.
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About Health Innovation Alliance:
HIA is an organization of patient groups, provider organizations, employers, insurers, and startup innovators committed to transforming healthcare. The Health Innovation Alliance exists to improve healthcare by advancing healthcare connectivity, unlocking the abundance of useful data in our healthcare system, modernizing data privacy, and fundamentally redefining care delivery. Learn more at Health-Innovation.org.