Press Release: Bridging the Digital Divide: Solutions for Telehealth
Access & Equity

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Daniel Kaplan
Managing Director, Corporate Communications
Phone: (443) 259-5262
Email: impaqint.com/forms/contact-us
Website: impaqint.com/media-center/events/bridging-digital-divide-solutions-
telehealth-access-equity

COLUMBIA, MD USA -- HEALTHCARE UPDATE NEWS SERVICE™ -- JULY 2, 2020: With social distancing orders in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, the adoption of telehealth has increased at a rapid rate. As patients and providers become more comfortable with this technology, widespread adoption of telehealth may become permanent as an alternative to many in-person appointments. While the convenience of telehealth can be beneficial for many individuals and providers, barriers such as unequal distribution of technology infrastructure, mistrust of technology solutions among some patients, and low reimbursement from some payers may leave many patients without equitable access to care through telehealth. How can we ensure the growing use of telehealth enhances access for all patients and does not exacerbate existing disparities for vulnerable populations?

Join IMPAQ President Dr. Adaeze Enekwechi as she leads a conversation with nationally recognized experts on how payers, providers, and policymakers can use telehealth to advance health equity.

Dr. Joe Kvedar, President of the American Telemedicine Association, Dr. Patrice Walker, Chief Medical Officer at Navicent Health, and Abner Mason, Founder and CEO of ConsejoSano, will offer actionable, evidence-based solutions, including:

  • Innovative approaches to enhance access to telehealth for marginalized groups
  • Steps for navigating regulations that impede health equity
  • Recent lessons in expanded access to telehealth

Dr. Adaeze Enekwechi
President
IMPAQ

Dr. Adaeze Enekwechi is working to ensure our nation evolves beyond its current piecemeal, short-term approach to big health problems, to create an equitable health care system that makes meaningful changes in people's quality of life. Prior to joining IMPAQ, she served as the Associate Director for Health Programs at the White House Office of Management and Budget under President Obama, where she provided policy, management, and regulatory oversight for over $1 trillion in spending on all domestic federal health programs.

Joe Kvedar, MD
President, American Telemedicine Association
Professor, Harvard Medical School
Senior Advisor, Virtual Care, Mass General Brigham
Editor, npj Digital Medicine
Dr. Joe Kvedar has focused on driving innovation, creating the market, and gaining acceptance for connected health for nearly three decades. As a policy leader, practitioner, and author, he works to share his expertise, insights, and influence to advance the adoption of telehealth and virtual care technologies at the national level. Dr. Kvedar will share his perspective on regulatory levers to expand access to telehealth and projections on the future of telehealth after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patrice Walker, MD
Chief Medical Officer, Navicent Health

As Chief Medical Officer at Navicent Health, Dr. Patrice Walker upholds the values of diversity and inclusion through her leadership of medical staff, strategic and operational planning, and overall support of the Georgia-based Navicent healthcare delivery system. Dr. Walker has spoken out on the effects of limited broadband service on health and social outcomes in rural areas and will share actionable advice from Navicent's recent telehealth initiatives.

Abner Mason
Founder and CEO, ConsejoSano

ConsejoSano Founder and CEO Abner Mason has demonstrated a commitment to health equity for more than two decades, including time spent as a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. In 2018, he founded Health Tech 4 Medicaid, a nonprofit coalition of health-tech leaders collaborating to create technology for Medicaid programs. Mr. Mason will offer insights into multicultural patient engagement and telehealth integration with safety net providers.


This webinar is brought to you by IMPAQ in partnership with the American Telemedicine
Association
.