[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 155 (Friday, August 9, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 41640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20270]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Request for Comments on Legal Issues Related to Telemedicine
AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Health and
Human Services (HHS).
ACTION: Request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Pub.L. 104-104),
Congress directs the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, to submit a report highlighting
the activities of the Joint Working Group on Telemedicine (JWGT) and
other Federal activities to promote the cost-effective use of
telemedicine (Section 709). The JWGT is a Federal interagency working
group that examines issues and makes recommendations regarding national
policy on telemedicine. The Office of Rural Health Policy, Health
Resources and Services Administration, provides staff support to the
JWGT. Telemedicine is defined as the use of modern telecommunications
and information technologies for the provision of clinical care to
individuals at a distance.
In this notice, we seek comments identifying the legal barriers to
the cost-effective use of telemedicine and specific suggestions for
overcoming these barriers. In particular, we seek suggestions for
easing licensure barriers to physicians and other health professionals
providing telemedicine services across state lines, and comments on
specific alternatives, such as those recently proposed by the
Federation of State Medical Boards and the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers. Respondents are encouraged to explore the
advantages and disadvantages of a wide range of options such as various
types of limited state licensure, registration of out-of-state
physicians as proposed in California, regional and national initiatives
to expand reciprocity among states, national licensure in terms of
their impact on access and quality of health care services, and
feasibility and cost of implementation. In addition to addressing
cross-state licensure issues, respondents are encouraged to provide
comments and suggestions on other legal issues associated with
telemedicine such as liability/malpractice. Finally, we are asking
respondents to identify the particular challenges in assuring privacy,
confidentiality, and security in the conduct of telemedicine and
provide suggestions for addressing those challenges. Comments will be
reviewed and considered for incorporation into the final report to
Congress.
DATES: Comments should be filed on or before August 30, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Copies of comments should be sent to: Dena S. Puskin, Sc.D.,
Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services
Administration, Room 9-05, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane,
Rockville, Maryland 20857.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dena S. Puskin, Sc.D., 301-443-0835,
dpuskin@hrsa.ssw.dhhs.gov.
Dated: August 8, 1996.
Ciro V. Sumaya,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 96-20270 Filed 8-8-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-15-U
