At a federal advisory committee hearing on Tuesday, Jay Maxwell, CEO of Pixius Communications, said that remote home-based disease management tools and telemedicine can improve rural patients' access to quality care and reduce the country's health care burden, Health Data Management reports.
However, Maxwell -- a telecommunications leader who specializes in broadband communication in rural areas -- told the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services that "none of this is possible without access to a quality high-speed broadband Internet connection."
Maxwell said, "While this access is common in urban and suburban areas, it is almost a luxury in rural America," adding, "Rural America is an area with a population that is aging and placing increased demands on scarce health care resources."
Maxwell noted that it is largely unknown where high-speed broadband Internet service is provided. He said, "I urge HHS and all federal departments to work together to determine in greater detail who has service and who needs service. By doing this, you will pave the way toward a more effective means of delivering health care to rural America."
Federal Stimulus Funding
Maxwell said that federal stimulus funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture would significantly increase telemedicine and broadband programs in rural areas.
In addition, federal stimulus funding administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will focus on more rural broadband programs.
Maxwell said, "We urge HHS to coordinate to the maximum extent possible with both USDA and NTIA to maximize the use of broadband funds with an eye to improving rural health care" (Goedert, Health Data Management, 6/10).
Maxwell's complete testimony is available online (.pdf).