On August 19, 2016, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) submitted a report on e-health and telemedicine to the Committees on Appropriations of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The report explains ways that advances in telecommunications can improve access to care and improve care quality, effectiveness, and outcomes. This report was prepared by HHS upon request by Congress in December 2015.

The report identifies policy challenges that currently are limiting expansion of telehealth use. These barriers include reimbursement, licensure, privileging and credentialing, and broadband connectivity. The report also identifies Federal telehealth activity and the current HHS legislative proposal.