[ORTCCTelehealth-TAO] Fwd: Telemedicine in the U.S. Federal Stimulus Bill

[Catherine Britain]

Please consider contacting members of our delegation about the importance of
telemedicine and HIT and its inclusion in the stimulus package.

Thanks,
Cathy

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jonathan Linkous <nalonzo at americantelemed.org>
Date: Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 6:50 AM
Subject: Telemedicine in the U.S. Federal Stimulus Bill
To: ATAmembers at americantelemed.org




As we reported last week, the proposed federal economic stimulus bill, now
heading for quick passage in Congress, may lead to a very significant
increase in funds for telemedicine this year.  *This may end up being the
largest federal investment, ever, for the adoption of telemedicine.*



*The potential amount of funding is staggering.*  The overall proposed
stimulus bill allocates nearly $800 billion in total federal funds.
Proposed funds are targeted to many different federal programs that are
directly related to telemedicine.  $2 billion is proposed for health
information technology through the Office of National Coordinator for HIT
and specifically mentions telemedicine as one priority for spending.  $2.8
billion is targeted to the Distance Learning and Telemedicine and Broadband
Grant program in the Department of Agriculture.  An additional $2.8 billion
is slated to go to the Wireless and Broadband Deployment Grant Programs in
the National Telecommunications Infrastructure Administration in the
Department of Commerce.  Other funds for health technology, that may include
telemedicine, are contained within expanded funding for a variety of federal
programs including the National Institutes of Standards and Technology,
Indian Health Services and the Social Security Administration.



ATA is asking Congress and the Obama Administration to assure that a portion
of funds already listed in the proposed spending measures are actually spent
for telemedicine.  The recommendations are in five areas:



1.       Expanded Telemedicine Networks – use a portion of the proposed HIT
spending to expand the capabilities of US health institutions to provide
telemedicine for all citizens.

2.       Export of Health Care Services – accelerate the use of telemedicine
in exporting U.S. health services to other nations.

3.       Coordination of Telemedicine and Telecommunications Spending – take
an aggressive approach to eliminate redundancies and gaps in services for
existing health technology and telecommunications programs

4.       Development of Standards – assure uniform quality in the delivery
of telemedicine through federal support for telemedicine practice
guidelines.

5.       Homeland Security – fully implement the provisions already approved
by Congress to establish a nationwide telemedicine network for use in
disaster response.



*ATA's specific recommendations will be sent to Congressional offices today.
*  Congressional action is on a fast track - passage of this measure will
occur in the House of Representatives in a few days.  Updated information
including final decisions on the proposed funding bill will be communicated
to the membership as it becomes available.



*ATA MEMBERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS POTENTIAL FUNDING AND CONTACT YOUR
CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES TO ENCOURAGE THEIR SUPPORT FOR ATA's
RECOMMENDATIONS*



Jonathan D. Linkous

CEO

American Telemedicine Association

202-223-3333



P.S. As we all know, the economic downturn is an international phenomena.
As other countries move to implement similar stimulus actions, ATA will be
tracking other potential increases in funding for telemedicine and
telehealth services.   We would appreciate hearing from any members with
knowledge of such moves by other countries.









-- 
Catherine S. Britain
CSB Consulting
csbritain at gmail.com
541-910-7366
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