However, the Center for Connected Health Policy tells Modern Healthcare that rural and community health centers may struggle because they “likely will not have the resources to pay for a fast connection in a tiered system.”

Moreover, larger health care organizations may fare better than smaller ones if net neutrality ends because they better access to the country’s high-capacity internet data routes, adds John Halamka, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center’s chief information officer.

Governments across the globe are trying to increase access to health care in all areas of their countries, even the remotest parts – and telemedicine is the answer, according to Infiniti Research.

“By bringing telecommunications and information technology on the same platform, telemedicine makes it easier for the physicians to overcome the geographical barrier and reach out to their patients,” Infiniti Research writes. “One of the best innovations in the healthcare industry, telemedicine has emerged as one of the most cost-effective means to provide high-quality health services.”

However, “ending the era of net neutrality” would result in much more expensive services, or slower services for rural areas and for those everywhere who can’t afford pricier services.

“Today, the two major drivers of change in the healthcare industry are technology and free access to information -- repealing of net neutrality will be a major roadblock for digital healthcare,” Infiniti Research writes. “It is essential that the opinions and concerns of all the major stakeholders in the healthcare industry be considered before rolling back the net neutrality policy.”