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ATA Advocates for Federal Legislation to Support Telemedicine

Peter Killcommons

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As the CEO of San Francisco-based telemedicine provider MedWeb, Dr. Peter ‘Pete’ Killcommons is at the forefront of the telehealth industry. Dr. Peter Killcommons has traveled internationally to support initiatives to implement telehealth solutions, including Cape Verde and Japan. He is also a member of several professional organizations, including the American Telemedicine Association (ATA), a group dedicated to furthering the provision of medical care through telemedicine.

The ATA Federal Action Center informs its members on policies and legislation that impact the telemedicine sector. Some of the ATA’s top priorities include the following topics:
Electronic Health Record Integration - Since the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act mandated the use of EHR for all healthcare providers, the telemedicine sector has rapidly improved due to facilitated access to patient data. ATA endorses policies that expand data reporting requirements and enhance health information exchange between providers.
Medicare Coverage for Telemedicine - ATA supports legislation that increases the number of health care settings that qualify for telehealth care coverage, including in-home care. Further, the association advocates for policies that encourage health and insurance plans to eliminate disparities in telehealth and in-person care coverage.
Interstate Care - Traditional licensure and many regulations are administered at the state level, making interstate telemedicine impractical or unfeasible. The ATA supports reforms that make it easier for licensed professionals to provide care to any patient in need of services, regardless of location. This includes implementing mutual recognition of licenses between states.