Advancing Telehealth Policy: CTeL’s Ongoing Advocacy for Equitable and Effective Digital Healthcare
The Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law (CTeL) continues to be a leading voice in shaping policies that impact digital health, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence in healthcare. Through our collaborative efforts, we have provided comprehensive responses to key regulatory proposals, ensuring that the interests of patients, providers, and healthcare innovators are well-represented. Our recent comment letters on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Special Registration Rule and the Administration’s AI Action Plan highlight the critical role CTeL plays in advancing legislation that supports the future of digital healthcare.
Ensuring Patient Access in Telemedicine: DEA Special Registration Rule
CTeL recently submitted comments on the DEA’s proposed rule concerning special registrations for telemedicine prescribing and limited state telemedicine registrations. While we acknowledge the DEA’s efforts to address concerns around diversion and misuse of controlled substances, we emphasize that any new regulations must be evidence-based and should not unnecessarily restrict patient access to essential care.
Key concerns highlighted in our response include:
The necessity of continued prescribing flexibilities: Telemedicine prescribing proved to be a lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic, and abrupt restrictions could disrupt patient care.
Unjustified restrictions on patient access: CTeL strongly opposes limitations that fail to recognize telemedicine’s proven effectiveness, including restrictions on out-of-state prescribing and arbitrary requirements such as the proposed 50% threshold for Schedule II prescriptions.
Appropriate oversight of telehealth platforms: We advocate for accountability mechanisms that focus on unethical business practices rather than imposing burdensome requirements on all telehealth providers.
Equitable broadband and telehealth access: Requiring audio-video visits without addressing broadband disparities would disproportionately impact rural and underserved populations.
By engaging with regulators and providing data-driven insights, CTeL is ensuring that telehealth policies do not roll back the progress made in digital healthcare access.
Shaping AI Policy for a Responsible Future
Artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize healthcare, but without clear regulatory frameworks, its adoption risks becoming fragmented and inequitable. In our response to the Administration’s AI Action Plan Request for Information (RFI), CTeL outlines key priorities to ensure that AI enhances, rather than hinders, healthcare delivery.
Our recommendations include:
Recognizing AI’s diverse use cases: AI in healthcare ranges from administrative support to clinical decision-making, and policies should reflect these differences.
Preparing healthcare professionals for AI integration: Training programs should equip clinicians with the skills to use AI effectively while maintaining ethical standards.
Ensuring AI does not become a barrier to care: AI-driven decisions in claims processing and prior authorization must be transparent and fair, preventing unjust denials of necessary treatment.
Promoting patient awareness and choice: Patients should have the ability to opt out of AI-driven healthcare decisions and be informed about when AI is being used in their care.
CTeL’s AI Blue Ribbon Collaborative is at the forefront of these discussions, ensuring that policymakers consider the full implications of AI while fostering responsible innovation.
The Power of Our Collective Voice
The work of CTeL and its collaborative partners demonstrates the power of collective advocacy in shaping digital health policy. By engaging with federal agencies, providing research-backed recommendations, and championing patient-centric policies, we continue to drive meaningful change.
Now more than ever, we must ensure that emerging regulations reflect the needs of patients and providers alike. We invite stakeholders across the digital health ecosystem to join us in advocating for policies that protect access, foster innovation, and uphold the highest standards of care.