The healthcare system contributes tens of billions of dollars to the San Diego region, and includes award-winning hospital systems that are paving the way forward in innovation and technology. Telehealth and remote patient monitoring have emerged as major policy priorities for our healthcare industry as they harness the ability to improve access to care issues and reduce costs in smart, efficient ways supported by technology.
The “virtual” access to doctors encompassed by telehealth can divert in-person visits when possible, streamline services, and relieve the pressure of too many patients without enough doctors. The Chamber has been proud to support the region’s leadership in laying a foundation for telehealth with the implementation of a community-wide health information exchange (HIE).
Chamber’s Position
The Chamber proudly supports the increased use of telehealth and remote patient monitoring, where appropriate, to benefit the well-being of our community, propel our major industries forward, and encourage innovation.
Latest Activity
At the federal level, we are advocating for policies that will make telehealth services billable and recognized by plans, and at the state level we continue that work. Most recently, the Chamber took a support position on the 21st Century Cures Act (H.R. 6), passed by the House of Representatives. This legislation makes important strides for the innovation and entrepreneurial communities, including increasing funding for the National Institutes of Health. The Chamber’s support however, came with additional comments that the telehealth component of the legislation did not go far enough and does not realize the full potential of this new tool.
We’ve supported components of the 21st Century Cures Act that will increase funding for agencies that provide important grant dollars that fuel our innovation economy and the development of technologies that will improve lives.
The Chamber is proud to have led the development of a coalition with broad support to advocate at the federal level to identify enforceable funding mechanisms for telehealth.
How to get involved
If you would like to become involved in the Chamber’s Healthcare efforts, please email Stefanie Benvenuto, Policy Manager, at sbenvenuto@sdchamber.org. You can also join the Chamber’s Healthcare Committee.
Additionally, you can:
- Support legislation relevant to telehealth & innovation
- Support for SB 289 (Mitchell) Telephonic and Electronic Patient Management Services