The promise of seamless health data exchange is finally materializing. With the operational launch of the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), the theoretical "network of networks" is becoming a tangible reality. As of early 2025, several major health information networks have been officially designated as Qualified Health Information Networks (QHINs), actively exchanging data under this new paradigm.

The integration of VR in nursing programs is not just a technological advancement; it's a strategic solution addressing critical challenges in the nursing field, including the ongoing national nursing shortage. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects over 194,000 openings for registered nurses annually through 2033 (Purdue Global, n.d.). VR offers an impactful way to streamline education and enhance training efficiency, ultimately increasing workforce readiness by providing immersive clinical experiences without relying solely on limited real-world placements.

The digital health landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, bringing with it both incredible opportunities and complex challenges. As we increasingly rely on technology to manage sensitive patient information, ensuring data security, privacy, and interoperability becomes paramount. This is where blockchain technology, often associated with cryptocurrencies, emerges as a powerful and transformative tool for the healthcare sector.

In the rapidly expanding digital health market, billions are being invested in technologies that promise to revolutionize healthcare. For the hospitals, health systems, vendors, and investors of CTeL, the opportunity is immense. But as we race to innovate, a landmark systematic review from npj Digital Medicine forces us to ask a critical question: Are we building what patients actually want and trust?

By synthesizing an unprecedented 562 studies conducted over nearly two decades, the research provides a definitive look at patient and public attitudes toward health monitoring technologies (Chen et al., 2025). The findings present a clear mandate: the future of healthcare innovation hinges not just on technological capability, but on a pivot to a more patient-centered, equitable, and trustworthy approach.

In the turbulent sea of modern healthcare, uncertainty is the new "normal." A groundbreaking 2025 report from KLAS Research, "Navigating the Uncertainty of Federal Policy," paints a stark picture of the landscape healthcare delivery organizations (HDOs) are forced to traverse. With shifting federal policies, looming reimbursement changes, and persistent workforce shortages, the pressure to make sound, strategic decisions has never been greater. In this high-stakes environment, going it alone is a costly gamble. This is precisely why organizations like CTeL are proving to be worth their weight in gold, offering the guidance and expertise necessary to turn uncertainty into a strategic advantage.

A perfect storm is brewing for rural hospitals across the nation. A confluence of financial pressures, workforce shortages, and now, the far-reaching implications of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," are creating unprecedented challenges for these vital community pillars. However, within this storm, a powerful lifeline is emerging: telehealth and digital health services. For savvy organizations, this is not just a moment of crisis, but a pivotal opportunity to innovate and secure a stronger future.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into digital health, particularly through chatbots and automated patient communication, is accelerating. While these technologies offer immense potential to enhance patient engagement and streamline care, they also introduce a complex and rapidly evolving landscape of legal and ethical obligations. This article analyzes critical regulatory frameworks, including emerging state-level AI disclosure laws and the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), in the context of healthcare. It examines the nuanced interplay with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and provides actionable insights for digital health companies, health systems, and providers to ensure responsible innovation. Key considerations include the necessity of transparent AI disclosure, the legal distinctions of automated communication post-Facebook v. Duguid, and the often-overlooked liabilities associated with a "human-in-the-loop" approach.

A critical new study in the Journal of Medical Internet Research reveals a massive gap in eHealth literacy and telemedicine adoption among older adults. 74% of those 60+ have inadequate eHealth literacy – a staggering barrier to the promise of digital care.

The future of healthcare is at a pivotal juncture. As patients, providers, and innovators increasingly turn to digital tools, the policies that govern our health systems must evolve. Following the recent House Ways & Means Subcommittee on Health hearing, "Health at Your Fingertips: Harnessing the Power of Digital Health Data," the Center for Telehealth and eHealth Law (CTeL) has outlined a clear, three-pronged approach for Congress to unlock the full potential of a digital, data-driven, and personalized healthcare landscape.

A recent legislative development on Capitol Hill has sent ripples through the tech and healthcare sectors. A deal struck between Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has advanced a controversial provision that would place a five-year moratorium on states' ability to regulate the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence (The Texas Tribune, 2025). This move, part of a larger Republican-led legislative package, has profound implications for the future of virtual care and the development of AI-driven health technologies. While proponents argue that a temporary pause on state-level regulation will foster innovation, critics warn of a "wild west" scenario that could compromise patient safety and data privacy (American Progress, 2025).

The future of telehealth and digital health funding through Medicaid is facing a period of intense uncertainty and risk, following a key ruling by the Senate parliamentarian that has thrown a wrench into the Republican-led efforts to pass a major budget reconciliation bill. The parliamentarian's decision to strike down a contentious provision altering the state-level "provider tax" has not only stalled the legislative process but has also amplified the political divisions within the GOP, leaving telehealth providers and the millions of Medicaid patients they serve in a precarious position.

A significant development is unfolding in Washington D.C. that could dramatically reshape the regulatory landscape for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the United States, with profound implications for the digital health sector. The Senate Parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, has ruled that a provision in a Republican "megabill" to impose a 10-year moratorium on state-level AI regulations complies with Senate budget rules, allowing it to proceed. Critically, the Senate's version ties this ban to federal broadband funding, meaning states that enact or enforce their own AI regulations would risk losing crucial federal broadband support. While supported by the tech industry to prevent a "patchwork" of state laws, this policy faces opposition, including from some Congressional Republicans, signaling a potentially contentious path to passage. The target for the bill to reach the President's desk is July 4th.

The digital transformation of healthcare has unlocked unprecedented access to medical providers, yet a stark divide has emerged in how states regulate one of its most critical functions: the ability to prescribe medication remotely. Two of the nation's most populous states, California and Texas, stand as prominent case studies with fundamentally different philosophies on telehealth prescribing. California has championed a flexible, technology-neutral approach, empowering providers to use asynchronous methods like questionnaires to prescribe. In contrast, Texas has historically mandated a more traditional, synchronous video or in-person examination to establish a patient-provider relationship before a prescription can be issued.

This Juneteenth, as we commemorate the profound moment of liberation for enslaved people in the United States, it's essential to recognize that the fight for freedom was never just about physical emancipation. It was, and continues to be, a struggle for full human dignity, which inextricably includes the right to health and well-being. Looking back, we can draw a direct line from the unwavering resolve of Juneteenth pioneers to the very existence and aspirations of modern telehealth, even as we acknowledge the significant work that remains.

In the complex landscape of American healthcare post-Dobbs, emergency rooms have become a critical battleground where a physician’s federal duty to save a life clashes directly with restrictive state laws. This high-stakes conflict was the focus of "Emergency Care at a Crossroads: Shield Laws vs. EMTALA," a pivotal session at the CTeL Digital Health Summit on Capitol Hill. A panel of medical and legal experts used a powerful, real-world clinical scenario to dissect the untenable position providers are in, revealing a system fraught with legal ambiguity, professional risk, and life-threatening consequences for patients.

he Center for Telehealth and eHealth Law (CTeL) recently met with senior advisors from the Immediate Office of the Secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to discuss crucial policy recommendations aimed at making digital health access permanent for all Americans. CTeL presented three key areas for the agency's immediate attention: accurately assessing the budget impact of telehealth, declaring a public health emergency due to the clinical workforce shortage, and enhancing oversight of the National Provider Identifier (NPI) to combat fraud.

The Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law (CTeL) appreciates CMS’ proactive engagement in shaping the future of the health technology ecosystem. CTeL, a 501(c)(3) non-profit research institute, has been at the forefront of digital health policy for over two decades. Our mission is to conduct evidence-based insights that inform policy and shape the complex legal and regulatory landscape surrounding digital health. We have consistently served as a vital resource for policymakers, providers, and innovators, anticipating challenges and championing solutions in areas like telehealth reimbursement, remote patient monitoring, and the ethical integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare.

CTeL Digital Health Summit session on Capitol Hill brought key voices together to dissect the complex economics of telehealth. While the overarching theme was a necessary shift from debating "cost savings" to proving "cost-effectiveness," a closer look at the discussion reveals critical details that provide a richer understanding of the challenges and opportunities in scoring telehealth's true value.

At CTeL Spring Digital Health Summit, a critical keynote discussion warned that as artificial intelligence becomes woven into the fabric of healthcare, the industry's traditional focus on patient privacy is no longer sufficient. The new, more pressing challenges are national security threats and, most critically, the integrity of the data that underpins every AI-driven decision.

The panel, "National Security Requirements: AI Integration into Digital Health Platforms," featured insights from Michael McLaughin, Esq., a cybersecurity and government relations expert, and Andrew Taylor, MD, from the University of Virginia. They painted a picture of a healthcare landscape rapidly adopting powerful AI tools while struggling with the immense security and governance challenges they create.