Remote healthcare advocates make early pitch in FL

Some of Florida's most influential health care groups are urging state lawmakers to expand the use of telehealth — Web and videoconferencing technology that allows doctors and other health care providers to treat patients — as a way to save money and deal with a growing shortage of doctors. Several powerful institutions, including Baptist Health South Florida, the Florida Hospital Association and Associated Industries of Florida, held a conference in Tallahassee last week to build support for telehealth in advance of the 2015 legislative session. Baptist Health South Florida vice president Phillis Oeters said telehealth programs had saved Baptist $18 million — and reduced the mortality rate by 40 percent.