TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – For years now, Florida TaxWatch has been a leader in calling for the expansion of telehealth in Florida. In addition to releasing numerous high-quality research reports on telehealth, TaxWatch has presented our research to the Legislature, spoken with elected officials and held summits featuring world-class speakers on this issue.

Following TaxWatch’s lead on this critical issue, the Florida Legislature created the Telehealth Advisory Council. We will continue to provide research and guidance on this important issue to ensure all Floridians have access to high-qualify, affordable health care.

Florida TaxWatch’s Research Analyst, Allison Wiman, has prepared the following briefing on the first meeting where council members reiterated their support for telehealth expansion. The council was formed following the passage of House Bill 7087 and is chaired by Justin Senior, Interim Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration. Members include nurses, physicians, long-term care providers, rural health experts, hospital representatives, insurance representatives, and telehealth vendors and developers.

“We are pleased that the Telehealth Advisory Council is moving forward in its goals to find policy solutions to telehealth expansion in Florida. Telehealth expansion would result in billions of dollars of savings for Florida taxpayers and is a recommendation of the Government Efficiency Task Force,” said Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro. “Florida TaxWatch will continue to lead on this issue and we look forward to working with the council.”

The briefing can be found on the TaxWatch Blog, which features stories on telehealth, criminal justice reform, international trade and more. Each blog post is written by TaxWatch's expert staff and provides insight on timely and relevant issues facing Florida.

For more on telehealth and to read research From Florida TaxWatch, click here.

About Florida TaxWatch

As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute & government watchdog for more than one third of a century, Florida TaxWatch works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on citizens and businesses.

Florida TaxWatch is supported by voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants, and does not accept government funding. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled Florida TaxWatch to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the citizens it serves since 1979. For more information, please visit http://www.floridataxwatch.org.