WASHINGTON, D.C. – One week ago, Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12) and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-2) launched the Congressional Digital Health Caucus with the goal of informing policymakers of the rapid advancements in digital health innovation, highlighting the potential impacts on patients and the health care system, and ensuring that all Americans benefit from the transformative power of digital health tools.

Members of the caucus include: Representatives Jeff Duncan (SC-3), Kevin Hern (OK-1), Terri Sewell (AL-7), Richard Hudson (NC-9), Becca Balint (VT-At-Large), and David Schweikert (AZ-1).

Here’s what members of the health care and telehealth industries are saying:

“Advancements in digital health have the potential to transform pediatric health care as we know it, enabling providers to diagnose and treat children faster, more efficiently, and more effectively than ever before. But attention and investments are needed that will ensure these technologies are safe, reliable, and scalable across the children’s hospital system, Children’s hospitals are already embracing cutting-edge technology like AI to give children the best possible start in life and we look forward to partnering with Reps. Balderson and Kelly to advance the work of the Congressional Digital Health Caucus and improve care for our nation’s children,” said Matt Cook, CEO of the Children’s Hospital Association.

“We applaud Reps. Balderson and Kelly for their long-time leadership on digital health issues and their work to launch the new bipartisan Digital Health Caucus. Digital health tools have helped move the needle where it matters most—enabling greater patient engagement and better health outcomes. We look forward to working with the new caucus to ensure all people everywhere can benefit from the transformative power of virtual care and digital health technologies,” said Dr. Vidya Raman-Tangella, Chief Medical Officer at Teladoc Health.

“The American Psychological Association applauds members of this caucus for their efforts to facilitate the future of mental health treatment. APA stands ready to lend the voice of psychological science and practice to this caucus to ensure that evidence-based treatments have a reliable pathway to insurance coverage, while ensuring patient privacy is protected,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, CEO of the American Psychological Association.

“Digital health has immense potential in expanding and strengthening the health care that the nation's over 5,400 RHCs provide. We are thrilled about the launch of the bipartisan Congressional Digital Health Caucus, and feel confident that with Rep. Balderson and Rep. Kelly leading these efforts the unique voice and perspectives of rural providers and patients will be elevated in all digital health conversations,” said Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs at the National Association of Rural Health Clinics.

“We believe telehealth sits at the nexus of digital health, leveraging AI, remote patient monitoring and other emerging technologies to improve patient care and ease provider burnout. We are pleased to support the Digital Health Caucus, another important channel for advancing health technologies that can increase access and achieve better patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency, especially for rural and underserved communities. Kudos to Congressman Balderson and Congresswoman Kelly, and to the notable bipartisan support from a legion of Congressional champions, for their continued efforts to create an omnichannel healthcare system that includes in-person and virtual care,” said Kyle Zebley, senior vice president at American Telemedicine Association (ATA) and executive director at ATA Action.

“Discussions around AI in health care are happening at warp speed, and policy set in this space today will have ramifications for decades to come. We applaud the launch of the new Digital Health Caucus and their mission to make understanding the use and implications of AI in health care a priority issue. As Congress engages further in policy development and regulations in this space USofCare strongly believes it should be with people at the center of every conversation. We look forward to seeing what's next and where people, policy, and politics can align on AI in health care,” said Natalie Davis, CEO of United States of Care.

“Lifepoint Health is pleased to support the new bipartisan Congressional Digital Health Caucus. Advancements in digital health have the potential to transform healthcare, particularly in rural communities, and we look forward to productive conversations to promote the use of innovative digital health technology, improve patient outcomes, and streamline access to quality healthcare to assist in making communities healthier across Lifepoint Health’s diversified healthcare system,” said David Critchlow, Senior Vice President of Government Relations for Lifepoint Health.

“The Health Innovation Alliance commends Reps. Balderson and Kelly for launching the Digital Health Caucus and bringing attention to the importance of health technology, particularly the discussion around AI. We look forward to working with them to advance policies that accelerate data and technology, improving health care for patients and caregivers,” said Brett Meeks, Executive Director at Health Innovation Alliance.

“Digital health technologies and AI-enabled devices are rapidly changing the face of healthcare, ushering in a new era of innovation that is driving improvements in disease detection and treatment for patients. AdvaMed welcomes the new bipartisan Congressional Digital Health Caucus, and we look forward to working with Representatives Balderson and Kelly and the entire caucus to ensure all Americans have access to safe and effective digital health technologies,” said Shaye Mandle, Executive Director at AdvaMed Digital Health Tech.

“On behalf of the Diabetes Technology Access Coalition, we applaud Representatives Balderson and Kelly for establishing the Congressional Digital Health Caucus. Many individuals with diabetes have benefitted from digital health services, such as remote data monitoring associated with a continuous glucose monitor use and the software and algorithms that enable automated insulin delivery systems. We look forward to working with the Caucus to support greater innovation and access to these important technologies, especially in the diabetes space,” said Tim Trysla, Executive Director of the Diabetes Technology Access Coalition.

“Walgreens applauds Congressman Troy Balderson and Congresswoman Robin Kelly for their leadership on the launch of the Digital Health Caucus. Partnerships between federal policymakers, private sector companies, and communities will be essential to ensuring that digital health innovation benefits all Americans. Walgreens looks forward to engaging with the Digital Health Caucus to advance the work we are doing to fundamentally change the clinical trial experience to create a more equitable research enterprise,” said Ramita Tandon, Chief Clinical Trials Officer of Walgreens.

“As healthcare technology continues to innovate, we appreciate the collaborative forum that the Digital Health Caucus can provide along with the opportunity to advance and inform forward-thinking, patient-focused policy. The Hearing Industries Association commends the leadership of Congressman Balderson and Congresswoman Kelly, and we look forward to working together,” said Bridget Dobyan, Executive Director of the Hearing Industries Association (HIA).

“CTeL is a proud supporter of the Digital Health Caucus and works to actively promote the growth of innovative technologies with a commitment to fostering safe practices for patient access and well-being. We understand the transformative power of AI in our healthcare system and settings, we are committed to collaborating with Congress and digital health-focused organizations to propel AI and the future growth of digital health,” said Christa Natoli, Executive Director of CTeL.

“The Alliance for Connected Care applauds the creation of the Congressional Digital Health Caucus, which will support new capacity for crucial and ongoing conversations about the potential for digital health tools, such as remote patient monitoring, and their potential to improve care and health outcomes for all Americans,” said Chris Adamec, Alliance for Connected Care.

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