On Wednesday, Federal Communications Commission Chair Julius Genachowski met with private sector, academic and government leaders to discuss the future of mobile health technology and wireless medical devices, The Hill's "Hillicon Valley" reports (Sasso, "Hillicon Valley," The Hill, 6/5).
Future of Mobile Health Technology
During a meeting at FCC's headquarters, Genachowski and industry leaders discussed how mobile communications devices could improve care and lower costs.
In addition, participants discussed the challenges associated with the increased adoption of mobile health technology, such as problems related to:
- Regulatory approval;
- Reimbursement and payment issues; and
- Ensuring privacy and security.
Genachowski called for industry stakeholders to help research such challenges and develop plans to address the barriers.
Bringing Wireless Medical Devices to Market
Also during the meeting, Genachowski announced plans to make it easier for innovators to bring new wireless medical devices to market (FCC release, 6/6).
Genachowski said that FCC aims to improve access to spectrum to allow for greater testing of wireless medical devices. In addition, he said that the commission will create "innovation zone licenses" to permit experimentation with wireless medical devices in approved locations (Mazmanian, National Journal, 6/6).