FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2006
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ADVAMED SUPPORTS LEGISLATION PROMOTING REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – AdvaMed President and CEO Stephen J. Ubl issued the following statement today after the introduction by Reps. Charles Pickering (R-MS), J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), and John Tanner (D-TN) of the “Remote Monitoring Access Act of 2006” (H.R. 6063).
“AdvaMed applauds the introduction of this bipartisan legislation which will improve the quality of patient care and reduce health care costs by encouraging the use of remote monitoring technologies. These technologies allow physicians to closely monitor patient information – such as heart rate and blood glucose levels – long-distance, in real time, eliminating the need for patients with chronic conditions to make frequent trips to the doctor’s office.
“This legislation will eliminate the disincentives that exist in current Medicare rules that only provide payment for face-to-face meetings between patients and their doctors. The current system actually discourages physicians from adopting innovative remote monitoring technologies that can provide more accurate, real-time information on a patient’s condition.
“Remote patient monitoring technology saves lives and money by enabling earlier disease detection, reduced hospitalizations, and less expensive care. These innovative technologies enable physicians to overcome geographic boundaries and allow seniors living in rural and underserved communities to have access to the necessary medical care to treat diabetes, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, sleep apnea, and other chronic diseases.
“AdvaMed looks forward to working with Congress and the Administration to ensure quick passage of this important health care legislation.”
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AdvaMed member companies produce the medical devices, diagnostic products and health information systems that are transforming health care through earlier disease detection, less invasive procedures and more effective treatments. Our members produce nearly 90 percent of the health care technology purchased annually in the United States and more than 50 percent purchased annually around the world. AdvaMed members range from the largest to the smallest medical technology innovators and companies.