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The COVID-19 pandemic shelter-in-place and social distancing orders spotlighted the need for all Californians to be able to use telehealth and exposed the existing digital access inequities. It illuminated the imperative for investments in constructing high-speed Internet infrastructure capable of supporting telehealth services and for getting all residents online with appropriate computing devices and functional digital literacy. California has not optimized the use of Telehealth to close gaps for medically-underserved communities and economically-segregated neighborhoods, which also are home to the most digitally-disadvantaged residents.

It is essential for policymakers who seek to achieve Digital Equity to understand how to effectively integrate the use of technology into all institutions and systems, including the delivery of health and medical care.  CETF is joining with partner organizations to convene Fact-Finding Listening Conferences to gather data and input for an Action Plan to inform State and Federal policymakers about how to optimize the use of Telehealth in California.

The Purpose of Fact-Finding Listening Conferences is to:

• Understand the status of Telehealth in California.
• Identify the gaps and barriers to optimizing Telehealth to improve health status for Californians.
• Develop an Action Plan to advance Telehealth policy and funding in California.

The Fact-Finding will focus on Panels of Presenters comprised of health and medical care providers and with Responders comprised of government agencies, statewide associations, and healthcare foundations:

• Community Clinics Serving Medically-Underserved Populations (FQHCs)
• Senior Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities and Assisted Living)
• Managed Health Care Plans – Private and Public
• Medical Centers

There also will be featured “Calls to Action” by policymakers and a Briefing on the status of Telehealth in California to kick off the Fact-Finding.  Stakeholders will be invited to submit written comments and recommendations to inform the Action Plan for Telehealth in California.