To combat the approaching physician shortage, the Partnership for a Connected Illinois launched the Illinois Telehealth Initiative with the goal of providing broader access to physicians, particularly for psychotherapy, to underserved populations.
Backed by the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council, the initiative is seeking partners and funding to launch its programs, according to Chicago Inno. The initiative has the backing of MATTER, a Chicago-based healthcare technology startup that recently announced a partnership with the American Medical Association.
The goal is to reduce healthcare costs by eliminating unnecessary visits and broaden mental health care access. Approximately 30 percent of Americans live in areas with insufficient mental health access. One-fifth of Americans live in areas with too few primary care physicians, according to Kaiser Health News.
"Each year, hospitals across this region treat an increasing number of patients in need of psychiatric evaluation, and most institutions, due to budgetary restrictions or location, do not have 24/7 access to psychiatric support," said Michael Wahl, MD, medical director at MCHC, at a news conference.