By Rebecca Vesely
We’re compiling Democratic presidential candidates’ plans on health IT topics such as telehealth, broadband access, remote patient monitoring, electronic health records and cybersecurity. This page will be updated.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
Broadband access: Warren released a “Plan for Rural America” on Aug. 7 that would allocate $85 billion in federal funds towards developing broadband networks through a new Office of Broadband Access. Of those funds, $5 million would be set aside for tribal nations. Warren also proposed allowing municipalities to build their own broadband networks so they are not reliant on private sector initiatives and better mapping of broadband service areas to identify need. Warren’s plan includes appointing FCC commissioners who support net neutrality. “One of the best tools for unlocking economic opportunity and advances in health care, like telemedicine, is access to reliable, high-speed Internet” Warren wrote.
Teleheath: Warren’s rural America plan would create a $25 billion capital fund to support improved care where there is a provider shortage, including telehealth services.
Former Vice President Joe Biden
Broadband access: Biden released his plan for rural America in June that includes $20 billion in rural broadband infrastructure, tripling USDA grant funding to expand broadband access and partnering with municipal utilities to bring broadband to underserved communities.
Telehealth: Expand grant funding through the USDA Community Facility Direct Loan and Grant Program to accelerate telehealth adoption, namely for mental health and specialty care.
Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif.
Telehealth: Harris mentioned telehealth in her ‘KamalaCare’ plan for Medicare for All, calling for expanded mental health benefits that can be accessed via telehealth.
Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Ind.
Broadband access: Buttigieg released his plan to expand health services to rural America on Aug. 9 that would “massively expand“ coverage of high-speed broadband Internet by the end of his first term but provided no price tag. His website said this policy would be fleshed out in a forthcoming plan for rural America. Buttigieg also proposed doubling funding in the FCC’s Rural Health Care program to $1 billion annually, which includes the $100 million Connected Care pilot.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
Broadband access: Klobuchar has a “Plan from the Heartland“ released Aug. 7 that would “bring high-speed broadband to every household and business in America“ by 2022 with no cost estimate. Included in the plan is creating “accurate broadband maps to identify areas that lack adequate access,“ and expand Rural Utility Service grants.
Telehealth: Klobuchar mentions “dramatically expand[ing] telehealth services,“ without further details.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.
Broadband access: Gillibrand released her “Rebuilding Rural America for Our Future“ plan, on Aug. 7, that would allocate $60 billion to connect all rural Americans to high-speed Internet, including “next generation gigabyte systems.” Like Klobuchar and Warren, Gillibrand said she wants detailed mapping of broadband service areas. Gillibrand would work with private providers, states, rural electric cooperatives, broadband cooperatives and community broadband networks.
Telehealth and remote patient monitoring: Both are mentioned as part of her rural health infrastructure section of the plan. Rural health clinics would be designated as “distant site providers“ for telehealth services under Medicare.
