Should some types of data transmitted over the Internet be prioritized over others?
That's the question currently being considered by the Federal Communications Commission. In May, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler's net neutrality proposal sparked controversy because it would allow companies to pay Internet providers to deliver their content more quickly. The FCC recently extended the comment period on the proposal to allow more people to voice their opinions, and the debate continues in Washington.
The net neutrality debate has implications for the healthcare industry. Because an increasing amount of data is transmitted by an Internet provider of some type, Commissioner Wheeler's proposal could affect the flow of information to and from healthcare providers as well as impact use of emerging products such as patient portals, telemedicine and home monitoring devices.
According to a blog post in Health Affairs, the proposal could help healthcare if providers are given access to the "fast lane" in the interest of public good. However, it could also lead to Internet providers favoring one organization over another, for example, giving more bandwidth to one home monitoring solution that would make it outperform its competitors
According to the blog, healthcare CIOs should be aware of the stakes and be advocates for a net neutrality solution that enables providers to continue to provide high-quality care for patients.
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