---
title: "The Promise of Telehealth"
date: "2014-02-19"
issues: ["Health IT"]
content_type: "Press Releases"
canonical_url: "https://itif.org/publications/2014/02/19/promise-telehealth/"
---

# The Promise of Telehealth

WASHINGTON (Feb. 19, 2014) - A wide range of technologies, from cloud computing to mobile devices, are making it easier than ever to connect doctors and patients through online encounters that are often on par with in-person visits, with lower costs and greater convenience for doctors and patients. Unfortunately, while the technology to deliver these telehealth services is available today, adoption remains relatively low because of a variety of policy barriers.

To assess how Congress can help overcome these roadblocks and expand the benefits of telehealth to all Americans, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), along with Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-6) and Congressman Bill Johnson (OH-6), will hold the panel discussion "Realizing the Promise of Telehealth" on February 26. **The event will be held from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill, Room 334.**

"As new demands are placed on our national health care system, policymakers need to be actively working to leverage telehealth to lower costs, increase access, and improve quality of care," says Daniel Castro, Senior Analyst with ITIF and organizer of the event. "This panel discussion will present a series of policy reforms that are necessary to enhance the implementation of telehealth and ensure that its benefits are maximized for the largest number of people."

Representatives Matsui and Johnson are cosponsors of the [Telehealth Modernization Act](https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr3750/text) and will discuss their efforts to create a national framework for telehealth policy and incentivize more states to expeditiously adopt telehealth systems. Additional panelists include Krista Drobac, former Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and Kofi Jones, Vice President of Public Relations and Government Affairs for American Well.

The event is free, open to the public and complies with ethics rules.

[Register for the event.](/events/realizing-promise-telehealth)

---
*Source: Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF)*
*URL: https://itif.org/publications/2014/02/19/promise-telehealth/*