U.S. Chamber Releases Studies on Broadband Policy and Its Impact on Seniors and Telemedicine

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today released three broadband studies showing the importance of broadband technology to senior citizens and to the transfer of medical information online, or telemedicine. The papers offer guidance to policymakers as they examine broadband issues, including how to implement the elements of President Obama's economic stimulus plan which allocated significant funding to spur broadband deployment and promote health information technologies.

"Expanded use of broadband within the healthcare sector will simultaneously improve the quality of care while cutting costs," said William Kovacs, the U.S. Chamber's vice president for Environment, Technology, and Regulatory Affairs. "Further, broadband allows seniors the ability to not only stay in contact with relatives and friends, but to save money on a wide array of items, manage retirement funds online, cut prescription drug costs, and work from home."

Broadband-based health resources could save $927 billion in healthcare costs for seniors and people with disabilities over a twenty-five year period, according to a recent estimate. It is also estimated that 3.4 million seniors will be using networked sensor applications to monitor and improve their health by 2012.

The three papers released today include Network Effects: An Introduction to Broadband Technology & Regulation; The Impact of Broadband on Senior Citizens; and The Impact of Broadband on Telemedicine.

"The telecommunications industry invested an estimated $60 billion in broadband infrastructure last year and this investment level must continue to allow seniors and telemedicine applications to take full advantage of the technology," said Kovacs. "Federal policies must encourage, not discourage, private-sector investment in broadband infrastructure, and broadband funding in the Recovery Act must be spent wisely and in a coordinated manner."

The studies were conducted by Charles M. Davidson and Michael J. Santorelli of the Advanced Communications Law & Policy Institute at New York Law School. For more information visit: www.uschamber.com/telecom.

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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