The Telehealth Scoop Weekly Podcast
About
Join us every week as we decode the complexities of healthcare regulations, share breaking news, and deliver actionable insights to keep you ahead of the curve. From Washington’s hottest debates to state-level trends and emerging tech, our expert hosts bring you concise, no-nonsense updates you can count on. Perfect for busy professionals who need to stay informed on the go. Tune in to navigate the ever-changing telehealth landscape with confidence!
💡 Stay informed. Stay ahead. Stay connected with CTeL.
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EPISODE 5
The Scoop: Week of February 14
🎙Telehealth Policy Scoop: Week of February 14, 2025
The top stories shaping the future of digital health from the Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law (CTeL).
🚨 In This Episode:
🔹 HHS, CDC, and FDA Ordered to Restore Website Functionalities – A federal court ruled in favor of Doctors for America, requiring the restoration of STI treatment guidelines and contraception prescribing information.
🔹 NIH Blocked from Medical Research Grant Cuts – A judge temporarily halted NIH spending cuts in 22 states, with a hearing set for Feb. 21.
🔹 VP JD Vance at AI Action Summit in Paris – Vance warned that regulation could stifle AI and reaffirmed U.S. dominance in AI innovation. The U.S. also declined to sign an AI ethics declaration.
🔹 RFK Jr. Confirmed as HHS Secretary – The Senate approved Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination in a close 52-48 vote.
🔹 Congressional Hearings on Healthcare & Telehealth – The House and Senate held discussions on modernizing healthcare, AI in medicine, and telehealth expansion.
🔹 New Legal Risks for Cross-State Abortion Care – A Nixon Peabody article warns of limitations in state shield laws for providers.
🔹 State Telehealth Policy Updates – Legislative efforts in Mississippi and Missouri aim to expand and regulate telehealth services.
🎟️ Upcoming Event:
📢 Digital Health Tech & AI Showcase on Capitol Hill – March 12, 2025
➡️ Sponsored by Christian & Barton and Civic Telehealth.
➡️ Register now: ctel.org/tech-showcase-2025
🔊 Tune in now for all the details!
#Telehealth #DigitalHealth #HealthPolicy #AIinHealthcare #CTeL
EPISODE 4
The Scoop: Week of February 7
🎙Telehealth Policy Scoop: Week of February 7, 2025
This week in telehealth and digital health policy:
Google releases Gemini 2.0, opening new AI development opportunities.
The Health IT Advisory Committee (HITAC) suspends all meetings indefinitely.
Vice President JD Vance to attend the AI Action Summit in Paris.
The Department of Government Efficiency reviews HHS and CMS payment systems—but details remain unclear.
The National Science Foundation seeks public input on the AI Action Plan (comments due March 15).
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for HHS Secretary advances to a full Senate vote.
Senate Republicans move forward on their two-part reconciliation package amid House GOP struggles.
A New York doctor faces charges in Louisiana for prescribing abortion pills across state lines, sparking legal and political reactions.
California proposes new AI chatbot regulations to protect children’s online interactions.
The South Central Telehealth Resource Center hosts abilling and reimbursement webinar on February 19.
Stay informed on telehealth policy updates—subscribe and tune in weekly!
EPISODE 3
The Scoop: Week of January 31
In this episode of The Telehealth Policy Scoop, brought to you by the Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law (CTeL), we break down the biggest digital health and AI policy updates shaping the future of healthcare.
🔹 Digital Health & AI Showcase Reminder – Register now for the March 12, 2025, Digital Health Tech and AI Showcase on Capitol Hill, where clinicians and vendors will highlight how AI and telehealth impact policymaking.
🔹 Major AI Policy Shifts – President Trump’s latest executive order on AI revokes Biden-era policies, aiming to accelerate American AI innovation while centralizing oversight under the White House. Meanwhile, Amazon Web Services, Canva, and Meta joined the new AI Competition Center, and the Peterson Health Technology Institute launched an AI task force to improve AI-driven healthcare administration.
🔹 RFK Jr. Confirmation Hearing – Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominee for HHS Secretary, testified before the Senate, outlining plans to use AI and telehealth to improve Medicare and Medicaid care while reducing costs. He cited Cleveland Clinic’s AI-powered nurse technology as a breakthrough that could provide concierge care to remote communities.
🔹 Congressional & State Policy Updates – House and Senate Republicans are finalizing a reconciliation package that could impact healthcare funding. Meanwhile, New York and California issued new laws regulating health consumer data and AI in healthcare.
Stay ahead of the latest policy changes—listen now for a full breakdown of what’s next for AI, telehealth, and digital health innovation!
EPISODE 2
The Scoop: Week of January 24th
In this week's episode of Policy Scoop, we dive into key developments shaping the healthcare and telehealth landscape:
CTeL In Action: A recap of CTeL’s Budget Reconciliation webinar, including insights into the legislative process and its potential impacts on telehealth policies.
Breaking News: The ERISA Industry Committee files a lawsuit challenging the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act final rule, alleging overreach and constitutional violations.
New Administration Updates: President Trump’s inauguration ushers in a wave of executive actions, including the withdrawal from the WHO, regulatory freezes, and the rescission of major healthcare-focused Biden-era executive orders. Plus, learn about “Stargate,” a $500 billion AI infrastructure initiative launched in partnership with industry leaders like OpenAI.
Congressional Focus: House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader John Thune strategize with the President on reconciliation bill priorities, spending cuts, and the looming debt ceiling.
State Spotlight: Idaho, Kansas, and Missouri’s lawsuit against the FDA over telehealth prescribing moves forward, while Texas lawmakers introduce a bill to regulate the use of AI in insurance claims.
Stay informed on the latest policies and actions that could reshape telehealth and healthcare. Catch the full episode now!
EPISODE 1
The Scoop: Week of January 17th
🎙️ CTeL Weekly Policy Scoop: January 17th Edition 🌟
This week, we're diving into game-changing innovations, critical recalls, and major healthcare policy updates:
✨ Special News Highlights:
Stanford Medicine's AI Innovation: A groundbreaking tool drafts lab test interpretations for physicians. After two successful pilots, could this redefine patient communication?
National Nurses United Takes Action: Nurses rallied nationwide to advocate for the ethical use of AI in healthcare.
Philips Recall Alert: A recall on Mobile Cardiac Outpatient Telemetry devices has the FDA on high alert—109 injuries and 2 deaths reported.
⚖️ Policy & Legal Developments:
SCOTUS and Preventative Care: The Supreme Court is set to review ACA requirements on preventative care, with significant implications for coverage.
DEA Telemedicine Rules: New rules impact veterans, telemedicine registrations, and opioid treatment.
HHS AI Strategic Plan: A bold roadmap for ethical AI development, equitable access, and workforce training.
📊 Research & Reports:
Telehealth Trends: ASPE reveals Medicaid and CHIP telehealth usage surged in 2020 but has since leveled off.
Hospital AI Bias Concerns: U. of Minnesota's study shows 65% of hospitals use AI but lack bias evaluation—what's at stake for patient care?
💡 Regulatory Insights:
FDA’s draft guidance on AI in drug development.
ASTP’s updated data standards for interoperable health info exchange—feedback wanted!
Tune in for all this and more as we unpack what these developments mean for telehealth, AI, and the future of healthcare. Stay informed and stay ahead with CTeL! 🩺💻
🎧 Catch the full scoop now!