Calls telehealth â??important for Idahoâ??
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo outlined the importance of telehealth and other distance medicine options during a speech today opening the eleventh annual Capitol Hill Health Care Information Technology Demonstration & Discussion. Crapo is an honorary Co-Chair of the Capitol Hill Steering Committee on Telehealth and Healthcare Informatics, the group who put on the event, which featured live, interactive health care displays and demonstrations on telemedicineâ??s evolving technology. â??In so many ways, technology is making medical care more effective as well as more accessible throughout the country,â?? Crapo said. â??It is important that we use these tools to empower people to take better care of their health. Telehealth is extremely important in many rural areas of Idaho. High quality health care services must be available to all who need them, and with the advent of telemedicine, we can use technology to further assist that delivery. I commend the efforts of the faculty, administration and students of Idaho State University, some of whom are here today, who have been leaders in Idaho telehealth efforts.â?? Todayâ??s conference is part of a series of educational sessions, technology demonstrations and field visits put on annually by the Steering Committee. The events bring together government agencies, universities, healthcare technology organizations and private sector organizations from across the nation to help develop legislative priorities related to telehealth, eHealth and health care informatics. Crapo, who is also a member of the Medical Technology Caucus, has been a strong proponent in Congress for breakthrough medical technologies and advancements in patient diagnosis, treatment and safety. Early this year Crapo helped establish a telehealth link to study diabetes and other health issues for the Coeur dâ??Alene Tribe in Plummer. In 2003, he was given a Recognition Award by the Steering Committee on Telehealth and Healthcare Informatics for his work on telehealth issues. # # # FOR INTERESTED MEDIA: A radio actuality is available by calling 1-800-545-1267. Press 327 at any time during or after the greeting and instructions. You can also access the actuality through the Internet at http://src.senate.gov/radio/.