Health IT & Telehealth
Telehealth helps to improve access to healthcare and improving health outcomes. The increased utilization of telehealth in rural area has helped to bridge the gap in rural healthcare by providing more access to quality healthcare. Additionally, reduces strain on the rural healthcare infrastructure and workforce as well. Expanding broadband access and supporting telehealth in rural communities is a priority. Rural health infrastructure does not stop at just hospitals and clinics, it is sustained through technology and IT infrastructure as well. With the development of new technological advancements in the healthcare field, it is important to consider the impact they have on rural health and take into consideration how rural communities are able to incorporate technology to benefit rural health care. We encourage you to utilize the following advocacy materials when you are advocating for rural telehealth and broadband access.
- Artificial intelligence in rural health care: A policy roadmap for ensuring ethical and equitable usage and closing gaps in access - 2025
- Cybersecurity: A path to increase rural health care preparedness - 2024
- Impacts of telehealth on rural health care access - 2024
- Prioritizing the expansion of electronic medical record interoperability software to rural health care systems - 2023
- Health care’s role in rural economic development: How broadband can improve health outcomes - 2023
- Rapid Response Policy Brief: Telehealth - 2020
- Streamlining Telemedicine Licensure to Improve Health
- Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Deregulatory Actions to Unleash Prosperity Proposed Rule - February 2026
- Letter to HHS Request for Information: Accelerating the Adoption and Use of Artificial Intelligence as part of Clinical Care - February 2026
- NRHA Comment to HHS: HIPAA Security Rule to Strengthen Cybersecurity of Electronic Protected Health Information - 2025
- Drug Enforcement Administration's Special Registration for Telemedicine proposed rule - 2025
- Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter Delay - 2025
- DEA Expansion of Induction of Buprenorphine via Telemedicine Encounter - 2023
- National Quality Forum measuring quality in rural telehealth - 2021