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The Digital Health Update by Paul Sonnier ⋅ Nov 12, 2016 ⋅ #247
Dear Group,
What is the impact to digital health of a Trump administration? In reaction to Donald Trump winning the election for President of the United States healthcare provider stocks dropped sharply. However, insurer stocks are holding steady. This is likely a market response to the total or partial repeal of Obamacare, which could reduce benefits to healthcare service providers. And insurers may place added pressure on providers to cut costs, or simply reduce reimbursement for services. This, of course, is where digital health solutions can be of value to providers. Telehealth, for example, improves efficiency and productivity of patient care. As I’ve previously mentioned, more than half of Kaiser Permanente’s 110 million patient visits were done via virtual care.
As for digital health solution providers, particularly device-makers, any potential requirements that manufacturing be done in the US or face steep import tariffs–something Trump has spoken about–could be offset on the bottom line by a decrease in corporate taxes as well as a beneficial deal on the repatriation of foreign assets.
My take is that digital health innovation, adoption, and benefits will persist. The imperative for cost reduction on the part of all stakeholders will remain strong profit motive for business stakeholders and the profit motive will continue to drive efforts at efficiency gains and cost reduction. Venture capital investing in startups will continue should also continue or possibly gain momentum if the small business environment is improved via changes to business tax rates, tariffs, and government-mandated health insurance requirements. Moreover, we could see a loosening of regulations around digital health. While I think FDA, for example, is diligent in protecting patient safety and responding to the pace of digital health innovation as rapidly as it can, we could see a more laissez faire approach. Also, it would be interesting if it was brought out from under the Department of Health and Human Services, thus providing it more autonomy. Feel free to share your thoughts in the group discussion on this topic, here.
Lastly, in his first interview as President-elect, Trump stated that he was willing to keep provisions prohibiting insurers from denying coverage to patients due to preexisting medical conditions. He also indicated an interest in allowing parents to still be able to keep their children on their insurance plans until the age 26.
In other news, after slumping due to lower sales forecasts, Fitbit shares moved back up after news of a potential acquisition.
And the world’s largest digital health platform, sports apparel and connected fitness brand Under Armour has reported revenue growth of 22 percent in the third quarter.
Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @Paul_Sonnier for all the news I share each day.
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Paul Sonnier
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Creator, Story of Digital Health
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Twitter @Paul_Sonnier
San Diego, CA, USA
The post The Digital Health Update by Paul Sonnier ⋅ Nov 12, 2016 ⋅ #247 appeared first on Paul Sonnier - Story of Digital Health.
from Paul Sonnier – Story of Digital Health http://storyofdigitalhealth.com/digital-health-update-paul-sonnier-nov-12-2016-247/
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