American Medical Association Supports Telemedicine Bill
CHICAGO - Feb. 3, 2016 - The American Medical Association (AMA) today supported the bipartisan Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act to expand the use of telemedicine to achieve quality care for patients.
The bill reflects the AMA’s belief that that the appropriate use of telemedicine can greatly improve access to quality care while maintaining patient safety. According to an independent study, the bill could save $1.8 billion over 10 years.
“This legislation has the potential to remove barriers to new health care delivery models that promote coordinated and patient-centered care. Importantly, the bill aims to maintain high standards whether a patient is seeing a physician in an office or via telemedicine,” said AMA President Steven J. Stack, M.D. “Telemedicine can strengthen the patient-physician relationship and improve access for patients with chronic conditions and limited access to quality care. The AMA’s guiding principles on telemedicine seek to foster innovation while promoting quality care.”
The bipartisan sponsors see telemedicine as a way to broaden health care, reaching populations that struggle with access.
“This bill shows Congress at its best – combining deep thinking, hard work, compromise and bipartisanship. In the end, the bill could improve health outcomes and save money. We look forward to working with other supporters to advance this important legislation in Congress,” Stack said.
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Media Contact:
Jack Deutsch
AMA Media and Editorial
(202) 789-7442
Jack.Deutsch@ama-assn.org
About the AMA
The American Medical Association is the premier national organization dedicated to empowering the nation’s physicians to continually provide safer, higher quality, and more efficient care to patients and communities. For more than 165 years the AMA has been unwavering in its commitment to using its unique position and knowledge to shape a healthier future for America. For more information, visit ama-assn.org.