 Continua Health Alliance applauds the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging for its timely leadership to advance personal connected health as a way to help address the elderly's pressing needs for increased access to healthcare services as well as improved outcomes.
The Alliance also salutes the Committee for its support of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) National Broadband Plan to promote fixed and mobile broadband development that will augment the delivery of care to the elderly in both rural and urban populations.
On Thursday, April 22, 2010, the Senate Committee held a hearing titled "Aging in Place: The National
Broadband Plan and Bringing Health Care Technology Home". Senators and witnesses from the healthcare and
technology sectors highlighted the benefits of "eCare" and personal connected health solutions such as remote patient monitoring. Additionally, they examined the need for more broadband connectivity to support the special health care needs of the senior population. Another topic of discussion was the continuing obstacle with reimbursement for remote patient monitoring services from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Senators offered anecdotes illustrating the need to address the health care requirements of an aging population coping with a growing chronic disease burden. They focused on the elderly's lack of access to available technology that would help them age in place and at home with dignity, a concept directly in line with Continua's vision to enable a broad ecosystem of personal connected health devices and services. Senator Ron Wyden (DOre.) referred to these technologies collectively as eCare - a term also used by the FCC in the National Broadband Plan - and stressed the government’s role in making them available.
"The need is clear for ubiquitous broadband service to support personal connected health solutions that will allow America's elderly the continued freedom they deserve," stated Chuck Parker, executive director, Continua Health Alliance. "By the year 2025, it is estimated that 1 billion people will be over 60 years old. Easy-to-use, broadbandenabled personal connected health solutions will empower the elderly to age independently and securely in their own homes."
The hearing culminated with several recommendations for the Senators, such as creating a position within the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to advance the proliferation of these technologies in order to increase the efficiency of America's health care delivery system while reducing skyrocketing costs.
"Continua Health Alliance appreciates the Committee's discussion and the testimony offered by technology and healthcare witnesses during the hearing," said Rick Cnossen, president and board chair, Continua Health Alliance. "We look forward to working with CMS and ONC to conduct personal connected health demonstrations to show the power of these technologies to transform the delivery of health care."
About Continua
Continua Health Alliance is a non-profit, open industry coalition of the finest health care and technology companies joining together in collaboration to improve the quality of personal health care. With more than 230 member companies around the world, Continua is dedicated to establishing a system of interoperable personal health solutions with the knowledge that extending those solutions into the home fosters independence, empowers individuals and provides the opportunity for truly personalized health and wellness management. For more information visit: www.continuaalliance.org. |
