Broadband Access Unlocks Full Potential of Virtual Care and Supports Greater Health Equity

Press Release
September 20, 2021
Contact: Jon Conradi
[email protected]

Washington, D.C. – Connect Americans Now (CAN) executive director Richard T. Cullen released the following statement celebrating the inaugural Telehealth Awareness Week.

“Too many Americans without broadband access, devices or digital skills are unable to unlock the full potential of telehealth solutions that can increase access to care, improve health care outcomes and enhance quality of life,” Cullen said. “CAN is proud to participate in Telehealth Awareness Week and use this opportunity to highlight the need for every American community, regardless of zip code, to have access to an affordable and reliable broadband connection that can support virtual care solutions.”

“Americans’ use of broadband-enabled telehealth solutions climbed 35 percent from 2019 to 2020 and more than 75 percent of Americans say they would like to use telehealth services in the future,” Cullen added. “Congress must act to ensure Americans aren’t left behind — by passing the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and advancing additional, permanent solutions to ensure digital equity for every community.”

Founded in 2017, Connect Americans Now (CAN) is a broad-based coalition of more than 300 companies and organizations representing leading voices in agriculture, education, health care, veterans’ issues, technology and small business — committed to urgent action to completely eliminate the digital divide in every American community.

Read about how the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will improve broadband connectivity and digital equity HERE.

Learn more about solutions to permanently close the broadband gap HERE.

Read more on CAN and our mission HERE.

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