Latest news
See our recent activity in industry publications and media. We regularly share expertise and insights focused on topics around health equity, the social determinants of health (SDOH), and related topics. Check out our latest news below.
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Ahead in Health: Digital equity in the shadow of digital health with John A. Powell and Abner Mason
Virtual health care boomed in the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s undoubtedly a huge part of the future of medicine. But is that good news for everyone? Underserved communities are at risk of being left even further behind as the most affordable, timely, convenient care increasingly happens online. Digital care actually has the potential to do the opposite—to improve access, personalize care, and reduce historic health inequities—but only if we design it right, and do so right now.
STAT News: As internet access limits telehealth’s reach, insurers are starting to cover the bill
Nearly a quarter of adults don’t have broadband at home and 15% struggle with internet costs. Abner Mason, Founder and CEO of SameSky Health, says, "All of the potential good things that come from this move to virtual care are put at risk if we don’t solve this broadband problem." Fortunately, health plans are now paying attention.
Twilio webinar: Advancing Health Equity
Abner Mason joined a Twilio panel discussion focused on how emerging technology can be leveraged to advance the overall cause of health equity. Panelists shared lessons learned from organizations interested in working to close health disparities and inequities in their communities. They also discussed how you can personalize and scale your engagements to build trust and relationships over time. View the recording here.
USofCare presents equity considerations for virtual care at the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s 2021 Quality Innovation Series
At the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s 2021 Quality Innovation Series, Abner Mason, Founder and CEO of SameSky Health, and member of the USofCare Founders Council, discussed virtual care policy recommendations for health systems and policy makers to overcome barriers to virtual care access. “It comes down to meeting people where they’re at and recognizing that the health care consumer’s preferences need to be top priority. If we can’t make text messaging work in 2021, how are we going to deal with what’s coming with virtual care solutions?” said Abner Mason, founder and CEO of SameSky Health.
Fierce Healthcare: HIMSS21: Post-pandemic virtual care policies threaten to undo low-income patients' access gains
“It’s a shame that it took a pandemic to provide low-income people with innovations in healthcare that high-income people had for 10 or 15 years and didn’t even want to use. We know people will use it, but if policy doesn’t reimburse for it [and] we go back to the old way, that would be a shame,” expresses Abner Mason, Founder and CEO of SameSky Health. Read more in Fierce Healthcare’s coverage of the HIMSS August 4, 2021 panel, “Social Determinants and its Impact on Patient Experience.”