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SUBCOMMITTEE Human Health
Telehealth
A significant number of Americans live in “hospital deserts,” a term referring to communities without adequate access to hospitals, primary care providers, trauma centers or health centers. Improving broadband access and therefore expanding the reach of telehealth services can help close this gap between underserved populations and the care they need. However, technology enablers such as telehealth can only be effective tools to address health equity when they are properly understood by the public, and when access to the internet is universal and affordable.
8. State health and human services offices, in partnership with health care systems and providers, can educate legislators and the general public on the access to, as well as efficacy and limitations of, telehealth including the provision of behavioral health and substance use disorder services.
9. State policymakers can explore and create standards for using technology in settings such as (1) hospital at home, (2) long-term hospital at home and (3) other forms of remote patient monitoring, without eliminating the personal connection and human decision making in health care provision and continuing to maintain a high standard of care.
10. State policymakers can explore and leverage all funding options, including public-private partnerships and federal funding, to plan a long-term strategy to increase broadband access to make telehealth more accessible to unserved and underserved populations.
Human Health Subcommittee Members
Chief Justice Bridget McCormack, Michigan, Co-chair
CEO Dannette Smith, Nebraska, Co-chair
Rep. Liz Snyder, Alaska
Rep. Colleen Burton, Florida
Judge Melanie May, Florida
Chief Privacy Officer Ted Cotterill, Indiana
Chief Justice Susan Christensen, Iowa
Fmr. Secretary of Health and Environment Dr. Lee Norman, Kansas
Fmr. Director of Public Health Adam Meier, Montana
Sen. Trey Stewart, Maine
Justice Anne McKeig, Minnesota
Rep. Brian Sims, Pennsylvania
Rep. Cindy Ryu, Washington
