Illinois Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti believes telemedicine is the right prescription for rural medical needs. She made the comments following a tour of Peoria’s Jump Innovation Center.
Sanguinetti is leading the state’s newly formed Medicaid Telemedicine Taskforce. Many of the state’s healthcare regulations require face-to-face contact between patients and medical providers, potentially limiting access to specialty care for rural residents. Telemedicine offers timely, remote healthcare options. Sanguinetti says this 21st Century technology is necessary to reduce cost and possibly save lives.
“Over time, it’s less expensive. I think it’s less expensive immediately and I think that the outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries are very good outcomes,” says Sanguinetti.
Sanguinetti’s Jump Innovation tour included a real-time demonstration of telemedicine technology. OSF is using telemedicine to enhance care at ten of its hospitals. Telehealth options are also available at some OSF offices for services including behavioral, neurological, cardiac, and pediatric assessments.
