Hillary Clinton Highlights Telemedicine in 2016 Presidential Campaign

1. 2016 U.S. Presidential Election: Hillary Clinton Focuses on Telemedicine

Recently, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton emphasized the current importance of telemedicine during a campaign stop speech in Iowa for the 2016 presidential election.

In her speech, Hillary stated: “While our healthcare system has undergone significant changes, it remains challenging for families in rural America to access affordable, high-quality medical services. I understand that many are concerned about the closure of rural hospitals. However, telemedicine can help address these issues. We will continue to streamline medical licensure processes and explore pathways to incorporate telemedicine into the healthcare reimbursement system.”

In recent years, telemedicine and digital health have frequently been featured in presidential speeches. President Obama also expressed his enthusiasm for wearable health devices, underscoring the importance the United States places on telemedicine.




2. Home Medical Equipment Rental Company (MSD) Acquires VerbalCare to Improve Patient Communication

Home Health Medical Device Leasing Distributor (MSD) recently acquired Verbal Applications, a startup dedicated to connecting patients with healthcare providers and professionals through mobile technology, which developed the doctor-patient communication app VerbalCare. Verbal will subsequently operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSD.

VerbalCare is available in two versions: a patient version and a healthcare provider version. For patients who have difficulty typing fluently, VerbalCare allows them to construct sentences by selecting predefined phrases to describe their condition, which can then be sent to healthcare providers or family members. Healthcare providers receive these patient alerts through the VerbalCare backend system to facilitate communication. For example, a patient can combine phrases such as “I feel” and “pain” to send messages to family members and caregivers.



3. National Health and Family Planning Commission: Prioritize the Use of Domestically Produced Medical Devices

According to Legal Evening News, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) jointly convened a conference to promote the development and application of domestically produced medical equipment. Li Bin, Director of the NHFPC, stated that priority would be given to promoting the use of domestically produced medical equipment in Grade A tertiary hospitals. Accelerating the development of domestically produced medical equipment, advancing their widespread adoption, leveraging the comparative advantages of domestic enterprises, reducing healthcare costs, effectively curbing unreasonable increases in medical expenses, and substantially alleviating the financial burden on patients.

Recently, the 13th Five-Year Plan for the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare sector has been largely finalized, with high-performance medical devices identified as one of the key areas for breakthroughs. Meanwhile, the “Notice on Implementing the Major Project Package to Enhance the Core Competitiveness of the Manufacturing Industry,” published on the website of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), provides an implementation framework for effectively advancing high-end medical devices as a priority project.

4. Slow Growth in Demand for Wearable Devices in the First Half of 2015

According to research by market analysis firm Argus Insight, consumer demand for wearable devices—including fitness trackers, smartwatches, and smart glasses—has declined significantly after peaking last year.

This is the conclusion drawn by Argus Insight after compiling and analyzing reviews from 328,000 users.

Argus Insights stated that it can be inferred that either more consumers are still adopting a wait-and-see approach toward the overall wearable device market, or a large number of consumers have already become customers of wearable devices, having purchased products and not being in a hurry to upgrade to new technologies and products. Either way, this is not good news for wearable device manufacturers this year.