On Jan. 18, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee reviewed the nomination of Rep. Tom Price, MD, R-Ga., to be the Secretary of HHS.
During the hearing, the committee pressed Dr. Price on a number of issues, one of which was telemedicine. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) asked Dr. Price what he sees as the future of telemedicine and what barriers he anticipates moving forward.
Calling it "one of those exciting innovations" that will give individuals in rural and underserved areas better access to care, Dr. Price touted the benefits of a telemedicine stroke program in Georgia. "Telemedicine is absolutely vital," he said.
"I think we need to accentuate the ability to use telemedicine," Dr. Price continued. "Oftentimes, telemedicine is not paid for, it's not compensated. People eat, the clinicians eat those costs. They assume those costs that help the patient but make it so it's much more difficult for them to be able to provide the quality care necessary."
Click here to view and listen to the full hearing.