[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 139 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H10038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      THE PROMISE OF TELEMEDICINE

  (Mr. OSE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I recently rose in support of the Thompson 
amendment calling for a comprehensive study of telemedicine as a method 
of delivering timely, quality health care, particularly in rural 
districts like mine.
  Today, I wish to discuss a vital component of telemedicine, and that 
is the Internet, but not the Internet of old and not the Internet of 
the ``worldwide wait.'' No, Mr. Speaker, I refer to an Internet built 
on a foundation of high-speed technologies that will enable 
transmission of vast amounts of data in real-time. Physicians will then 
have the ability to transmit medical images to radiologists anywhere in 
the country for interpretation. Patients will have the option of 
remaining home and having their daily readings checked without 
traveling all the way to the doctor's office, often a substantial 
distance from home.
  These are but two examples of telemedicine's promise. Congress should 
take the steps necessary to ensure that these technologies are 
developed and deployed swiftly. Our constituents deserve nothing less.

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