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Calling for joint hearings by the Committee on Public Safety and the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to explore alternative health care methods, such as, telemedicine, mobile health care clinics, online therapy, and non-traditional nursing homes for low-income families, disabled, and elderly Philadelphia residents.
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WHEREAS, According to a 2012 Pew Charitable Trust report, 72.8% of all hospital visits of Philadelphia residents were paid for by Medicare and Medicaid, while, 15% of the Philadelphia's adults remain uninsured; and
WHEREAS, Residents who are 55 and older represent 23% of the City of Philadelphia's population, while residents between the ages of 21 to 64 in Pennsylvania who are living with a disability represent 11.4% of the population; and
WHEREAS, Since the passing of the Affordable Care Act employers have already seen this reform law increase their costs of health care by two percentage points and a 2013 health care study released by Aon Hewitt reported that health care costs are expected to rise even further in 2014 as average employee out-of-pocket costs will rise to $2,470; and
WHEREAS, Affordable and convenient health care options such as telemedicine, mobile dental clinics, and online therapy are alternatives that should be available to citizens who cannot afford or obtain traditional health care in the City of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Telemedicine and telehealth services such as "Teladoc" are providing a health care solution that allows patients to cut down both costs of health care and use of time by contacting doctors via the telephone for non-emergency cases such as poison ivy, bronchitis, pink eye, and respiratory infections; and
WHEREAS, Telemedicine allows patients to receive general consultations, guidance regarding chronic conditions, interpretation of lab results, as well as, referrals to specialists and hospitals when necessary, all from the comfort of their own homes; and
WHEREAS,...
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