Telemedicine in Texas schools is topic at Rice’s Baker Institute Oct. 30

MEDIA ADVISORY

David Ruth
david@rice.edu
713-348-6327

Jeff Falk
jfalk@rice.edu
713-348-6775

Telemedicine in Texas schools is topic at Rice’s Baker Institute Oct. 30

HOUSTON – (Oct. 27, 2015) – Texas state Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, R-Parker, will discuss efforts to advance policies to support the sustainability of telemedicine in Texas at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy Oct. 30. Laubenberg is the author of House bill 1878, which passed in the 2015 legislative session and provides Medicaid reimbursement for physicians who provide telemedicine services in schools.

Hosted by the Baker Institute’s Center for Health and Biosciences, the event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Who: Featured speaker Texas state Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, R-Parker.

Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at the Baker Institute and professor of economics at Rice, will give welcoming remarks.

Dr. Quianta Moore, the Baker Institute scholar in health policy, will provide the introduction.

What: A luncheon talk titled “Telemedicine in Schools: Improving Access to Health Care.”

When: Friday, Oct. 30, noon-1:30 p.m.

Where: Rice University, Baker Hall, Doré Commons, 6100 Main St.

Telemedicine in schools can be a powerful tool to increase access to health care for children in need, according to event organizers. Diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases in children decreases morbidity and mortality in adulthood. Yet, as of 2013, one out of eight children was uninsured in Texas and had limited access to health care. With telemedicine, medical providers use communications technology to deliver medical services remotely. The advancement of telemedicine in Texas is dependent upon reimbursement for medical care provided during a telemedicine session.

This event will highlight the challenges in advancing policies to support the sustainability of telemedicine in Texas and discuss innovative telemedicine programs around the state.

Members of the news media who want to attend should RSVP to Jeff Falk, associate director of national media relations at Rice, at jfalk@rice.edu or 713-348-6775.

The public must register to attend this event at http://bakerinstitute.org/events/1742. A live webcast will be available at the registration page.

For a map of Rice University’s campus with parking information, go to www.rice.edu/maps. Media are advised to park in the Central Campus Garage.

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Founded in 1993, Rice University’s Baker Institute ranks among the top 10 university-affiliated think tanks in the world. As a premier nonpartisan think tank, the institute conducts research on domestic and foreign policy issues with the goal of bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy. The institute’s strong track record of achievement reflects the work of its endowed fellows, Rice University faculty scholars and staff, coupled with its outreach to the Rice student body through fellow-taught classes — including a public policy course — and student leadership and internship programs. Learn more about the institute at www.bakerinstitute.org or on the institute’s blog, http://blogs.chron.com/bakerblog.