Telemedicine is a benefit to all patients

A front-page article in the Nov. 25 Gazette (“Hospitals expand access through technology”) pointed out the advantages of telemedicine in providing medical care for patients even when they are not in the doctor's office or at a hospital. Indeed, as the article explains, the use of telemedicine is a convenient and cost-effective way to provide medical care of many kinds to many patients, particularly those living in areas where such care is not otherwise available.

Is it not puzzling, then, that the Iowa Board of Medicine in August adopted a rule prohibiting telemedicine when used for the purpose of providing abortion medication? The decision of the board is squarely focused on abortion; it has taken no such aim at other kinds of medical care provided through telemedicine. If telemedicine is such a good idea - and it is - why is it that the board thinks telemedicine shouldn't be used to provide complete health care to women?

Fortunately, in early November, an Iowa District Court halted the enforcement of the board's rule, pending further court review. But it should not be necessary to take court action to stop this unwarranted intrusion in the lives of women. Let us hope that the rule of the board is finally overturned and that the board comes to recognize the benefits of telemedicine to all patients.

Laura Hahn

Iowa City