On Feb. 21, Rep. Troy Balderson (R-Oh.) introduced bipartisan legislation into the House of Representatives, together with Representatives Susie Lee, (D-Nev.), Ashley Hinson (R-Ia.), and Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), to expand and improve access to telehealth services, according to a press release.
The press release states that “The Knowing the Efficiency and Efficacy of Permanent (KEEP) Telehealth Options Act [H.R. 1110] requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), and Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) to each conduct a report and issue recommendations on telehealth. These reports will include the expansion of telehealth services during the COVID-19 outbreak, the uptake of those services by patients across the country, and recommendations for enhancing the quality of and access to these services. The bill also asks each entity to make recommendations for potential improvement and expansion, as well as approaches to address and prevent fraudulent activity. This data is crucial in order for Congress to legislate a permanent expansion of telehealth.”
Balderson was quoted in the release saying that “Better access to quality health care services via telehealth has been a game-changer for Ohio’s rural communities. Telehealth is helping to better connect patients and providers by reducing the need for long-distance travel for routine in-person care and consultations. I’m proud to join my colleagues to advance this health care innovation, which greatly benefits rural communities and children.”
On Feb. 22, the American Hospital Association (AHA) sent a letter, signed by Stacey Hughes, AHA executive vice president, to Balderson supporting H.R. 1110.
The letter says that “Telehealth has provided a critical way for patients to continue to access needed care, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. We greatly appreciate the flexibilities implemented during the public health emergency and recently extended through 2024, as they will allow hospitals and health systems to continue to provide virtual care for patients. This legislation would require the Department of Health and Human Services, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, and the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission to conduct studies to provide information about the expanded use of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional data on telehealth uptake and usage is critical to help inform changes that will need to be addressed going forward to ensure patients can continue to access care through telehealth.”
More moves to expand telehealth
Last month, we reported that U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., Tim Walberg, D-Mich., Angie Craig, D-Minn., Ron Estes, R-Kan., Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., and Rick Allen, R-Ga. introduced bipartisan legislation to expand access to employer-sponsored telehealth benefits.
A press release on the legislation states that “The Telehealth Benefit Expansion for Workers Act would allow employers to offer workers standalone telehealth benefits, similar to dental and vision plans, in addition to traditional healthcare plans. The bill would enable all workers, including part-time and seasonal workers, to access telehealth benefits. Under this legislation, stand-alone telehealth benefits would remain separate from traditional healthcare plans and would not serve as a replacement. Instead, this bill would fill a much-needed gap for certain members of the American workforce who lack affordable access to quality healthcare.”