News

Press Release
June 28, 2007 
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TELEHEALTH COMMUNITY PROTECTS OAT FUNDING

 Washington, DC – The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education recently approved a 2.6% increase in funding for the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT) for FY 2008, bringing total OAT funding up to $7.0 million.  The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education also recently approved the same increase.  Both bills will be subject to further modifications as they move through their respective chambers.

The telehealth community has been working to protect OAT funding.  “The Home Care Technology Association of America (HCTAA), Consumer Healthcare Access Through Technology (CHATT), and other organizations have focused Congressional attention on the OAT program,” said Robert J. Waters, Counsel for the Center for Telehealth & E-Health Law.  “Funding was increased in FY 2006 by $3.0 million thanks to a floor amendment by Senator John Thune (R-SD).  These groups hope to launch a similar push for telehealth funding when the FY 2008 Appropriations bill comes to the Senate Floor.”

 “Increasing funding for telehealth grants is essential to the long-term sustainability of telehealth projects, improving access in underserved areas of the country, and addressing critical clinical shortages that are occurring throughout the U.S., particularly in rural areas.”

 More funding will allow HHS to expand support for telehealth grant opportunities for demonstrations and model projects.  In addition, it will provide continued support for telehealth resource centers, telehealth and telehomecare pilot projects, and grants to state health licensing boards.

 The increased support for these telehealth programs will help to ensure that underserved Americans have access to primary and specialty health care when and where they need it. 

ABOUT CTeL.  The Center for Telehealth & E-Health Law, formerly the Center for Telemedicine Law is a proven leader in providing education and analysis on telehealth, e-health, and emerging technologies.  CTeL's mission is to overcome the legal and regulatory barriers to the utilization of telehealth and related e-health services.