Will Wireless Health Receive a Boost from the FCC?

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Will Wireless Health Receive a Boost from the FCC?

Sarai Tsai | February 18, 2010 - Leave a Comment

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Even as the FDA considers whether mobile health devices should be regulated as medical devices, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is proactively supporting use of broadband for wireless health devices with its National Broadband Plan. The plan will include a focus on creating opportunities for startups and job creation related to the use of health care wireless devices and applications.

Currently limited amounts of spectrum available for wireless voice and data is restricting wireless growth and new innovations. In response, the FCC will review current health IT applications that use broadband, such as EHR systems and remote monitoring, and discuss “where government has a role to reduce some of the hurdles to these technologies both in connectivity and to promote innovation in applications,” said Dr. Mohit Kaushal, digital healthcare director of the FCC’s Omnibus Broadband Initiative.

The plan, mandated in 2009 by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), must be developed by February 17, 2010, to encourage business development, jobs, and health improvements through the use of broadband connections. According to HIMSS, this plan will be released next month.

Image courtesy of sun dazed