Judge Blocks Texas Telemedicine Rule
The Texas Medical Board had issued rules that would require face-to-face contact between patient and doctor before prescription drugs are dispensed. Kaiser Health News and and public radio station KERA look at Teledoc, a telemedicine provider in Texas that is crying foul over the rule.
The Associated Press:
Judge Bars Texas Telemedicine Rules From Taking Effect
A federal judge has determined claims made by the Texas Medical Board in adopting new telemedicine rules were "suspect" and barred the rules from taking effect until a civil trial can be held in lower court. Friday's ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman hinges largely on a revised rule the board adopted in April that requires a patient to have a "face-to-face visit or in-person evaluation" before a prescription can be dispensed. The board has argued such a measure is crucial to ensuring patient safety and quality care. (Warren, 6/1)
Kaiser Health News:
Texas Puts Brakes On Telemedicine — And Teladoc Cries Foul
In Texas, hundreds of employers offer Teledoc’s services to more than 2 million employees, Gorevic said. Nationwide, Teladoc reaches 11 million people. But new rules from the Texas Medical Board could make it a lot harder for people like Broyles to get antibiotics through the service. In response to the board’s restrictions, Teladoc has filed a lawsuit that accuses the medical board of artificially limiting supply and increasing prices. (Silverman, 6/2)
And teens change their health habits after searching online --
The Washington Post:
Study: Nearly Third Of Teens Changed Health Habits Based On Online Search
Some good news about teens and the Internet: Many switch to healthier habits after consulting the Web. In the first national study in more than a decade to look at how adolescents use digital tools for health information, nearly one-third of teenagers said they used online data to improve behavior — such as cutting back on drinking soda, using exercise to combat depression and trying healthier recipes — according to a study to be released Tuesday by researchers at Northwestern University. (Sun, 6/2)
