Memphis Standard

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) recently addressed the American Telemedicine Association at the 2023 EDGE Policy Conference, discussing the need for legislative initiatives to ensure the permanence and accessibility of telemedicine services. Senator Blackburn emphasized the importance of modernizing HIPAA and addressing online privacy to facilitate the expansion of telehealth.

Regarding the need to modernize HIPAA, Senator Blackburn stated, "We are long past the days of [a] paper chart in the fax machine [that] comes out at the referred doctors." She highlighted the necessity of revisiting HIPAA to accommodate the advancements in telehealth technology.

Furthermore, Senator Blackburn stressed the significance of online privacy in relation to artificial intelligence (AI) and telehealth. She acknowledged the positive impact of AI in various industries, such as logistics and healthcare, but also expressed concerns about its misuse. Senator Blackburn stated, "Our songwriters – not so much. They look at it and they say, 'this is a fairly useful way to steal my name, my image, my likeness, and clone my voice.'" She emphasized the need to address online privacy before delving further into AI development.

Senator Blackburn also discussed healthcare legislation for 2024, specifically highlighting two bills. The first bill is the Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act, which aims to make home-based cardiac rehab services permanent. Senator Blackburn mentioned the success of these services during the pandemic and their potential to improve outcomes and reduce mortality rates for individuals with heart and lung diseases.

The second bill mentioned by Senator Blackburn is the TREATS Act. This legislation seeks to preserve the ability of providers to prescribe opioid use disorder treatments through telehealth. Senator Blackburn emphasized the importance of telehealth in improving patient retention and outcomes for individuals in drug abuse treatment programs and those with behavioral disorders.

In addition to these bills, Senator Blackburn highlighted the Access to Prescription Digital Therapeutics Act, which aims to allow Medicare coverage of innovative digital health tools. She emphasized the significance of expanding access to these tools and ensuring that CMS understands Congress's commitment to making telehealth a permanent feature of healthcare.

Senator Blackburn concluded by emphasizing the importance of telehealth across state lines, stating, "One thing that the pandemic taught us is that quality health care and access to quality health care does not need to be restricted by a geographic boundary." She highlighted the need for Congress to prioritize the permanence of telehealth and reject temporary rule-making as a solution.

In summary, Senator Marsha Blackburn discussed the legislative initiatives required to ensure the permanence of telehealth services. She emphasized the need to modernize HIPAA, address online privacy concerns, and prioritize healthcare legislation such as the Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act, the TREATS Act, and the Access to Prescription Digital Therapeutics Act. Senator Blackburn underscored the importance of telehealth in improving patient outcomes and expanding access to quality healthcare.