The Telehealth Revolution That Can’t Reach Everyone

With the future of Affordable Care Act subsidies in doubt and skyrocketing healthcare costs burdening millions of American households, one powerful tool of modern medicine and technology is not being talked about enough: telehealth. Harnessing the wonders of modern telecommunication technologies, we can now deliver healthcare services at a distance—virtual video visits with healthcare providers, remote monitoring of chronic health conditions, accessing online health information, plus the secure transmission of electronic health records. The promise: studies have shown telehealth can significantly reduce healthcare costs, potentially shaving tens of billions of dollars off the nation’s healthcare bill—all while improving health outcomes. The problem: it hinges on universal access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet service, which tens of millions of Americans currently lack.