LeRoy T. Carlson Jr., Chairman, U.S Cellular Corporation www.uscellular.com described the important need for mobile broadband in rural areas before the hearing held by the Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet www.commerce.senate.gov on February 4th. (more…)
Technologies for Tumor Surgery
According to “NIH News in Health” https://newsinhealth.gov, surgeons find removing tumors to be a balancing act. Cut out too much and you risk removing healthy tissues that have important functions. Remove too little and you may leave behind cancer cells that could grow back into a tumor over time. (more…)
Using Telehealth & RPM in Medicare
A new piece of legislation titled “CONNECT for Health Act” www.congress.gov was introduced in the House and Senate by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Ben Cardin (D-MD), John Thune (R-SC), and Mark Warner D-VA). Representatives Diane Black (R-TN), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Gregg Harper (R-MS) introduced companion legislation in the House. (more…)
VA Upgrading Technology
The Maine Rural Health Research Center in the Cutler Institute for Health and Social Policy http://usm.maine.edu/muskie/cutler/mrhc has initiated a research study titled “Assessing HIT Strategies to Improve Access for Rural Veterans”. Rural veterans face unique barriers to healthcare including insufficient communication and coordination of care across multiple settings both within and outside of the Veteran’s Administration. (more…)
State Launches Digital Health Initiative
Executives from the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership (MACP) http://masscompetes.org recently joined leaders from state government, healthcare and the technology sector at Boston Children’s Hospital to announce a comprehensive public-private partnership to accelerate the state’s digital healthcare industry. According to a report by Goldman Sachs the digital health/eHealth market represents approximately $32 billion market opportunity over the next decade. (more…)
Issues in Indian Health Care
Senator John Barrasso, M.D. (R-WY) Chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs www.indian.senate.gov and a doctor practicing medicine for 25 years, remains deeply concerned about the significant challenges facing the Indian Health System www.ihs.gov especially in the Great Plains. (more…)
Many Rural Hospitals May Close
Over 500 attendees, top experts, and leaders from Capitol Hill and the Federal agencies discussed their views on a number of serious issues facing the rural health community at the 27th Annual “Rural Health Policy Institute” presented by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) www.ruralhealthweb.org on February 4-6, 2016 in Washington D.C. (more…)