WASHINGTON - s4story -- The 2025 CTeL Digital Health Summit, held last week on Capitol Hill, delivered a resounding message: while digital health's immense value is undeniable, its permanent integration into the U.S. healthcare system is not guaranteed. Policymakers, healthcare executives, and technology innovators converged, underscoring the urgent need for collective action to secure the future of virtual care.

A critical focus was the impending expiration of telehealth flexibilities. Colleen Nguyen from Senator Mark Warner's office highlighted the significant financial and political obstacles in making these provisions permanent. Echoing this urgency, Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH) championed telehealth as a vital tool for expanding rural healthcare access, urging continued investment in broadband and remote patient monitoring. "We could all agree... telehealth expansion from the pandemic standpoint, was a huge positive outcome," Congressman Balderson stated, emphasizing its proven benefits.

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The burgeoning role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare dominated discussions, revealing its dual nature as both a groundbreaking tool and a source of significant new risks. Panels explored everything from national security implications of AI data processing to complex malpractice liability. In a landmark announcement, Dr. Shawn Griffin, CEO of the accreditation body URAC, revealed plans to launch a new AI in healthcare accreditation program in late 2025. This initiative aims to establish industry-led best practices and provide crucial "guardrails" for patient and provider safety, as Dr. Griffin noted.

The summit also sounded a stark alarm on significant economic and regulatory threats. Maggie Martin of the Oklahoma Hospital Association warned that proposed Medicaid cuts—an estimated $880 billion reduction—could devastate hospital finances, leading to service closures and exacerbating care disparities. Additionally, experts from Morgan Lewis and the Texas eHealth Alliance called for unified advocacy to secure a digital health exemption from potential tariffs on medical devices, preventing supply chain disruptions and cost inflation.

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Key takeaways and calls to action emerged: securing telehealth permanence before its September 2025 expiration; proactively navigating AI regulation and liability to ensure accountability and patient safety; and vigorously combating economic pressures from Medicaid cuts and tariffs. Experts stressed the importance of proving digital health's value beyond mere cost-savings, focusing instead on its ability to improve access and outcomes. Addressing complex regulatory hurdles—including reimbursement, remote prescribing, and fraud laws—remains paramount, necessitating clear and consistent guidance.

The 2025 CTeL Summit painted a clear picture of an industry at a pivotal moment. While the vision for seamlessly integrated technology improving patient care is robust, its realization hinges on the industry's ability to navigate this complex political and economic landscape. The fight for digital health is far from over; passionate, continued advocacy is more critical than ever.

For more information about CTeL and the CTeL Summit, visit www.ctel.org.