Telemedicine Legislation Clears Key
Committee Vote
January 30, 2018
Legislation to put
Pennsylvania on track to becoming a telemedicine-friendly state cleared an
important vote today. Senate Bill 780, sponsored by State Senator Elder Vogel
(R-Beaver), gained unanimous approval from the Senate Banking and Insurance
Committee.
The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) has strongly
supported telemedicine as a tool to help consumers
access high-quality primary and specialty care, saving them time and money.
Hospitals and physicians that offer telemedicine utilize state-of-the-art
technology to help consumers access a variety of primary and specialty services
including preventive care, chronic condition management, telestroke,
and teledermatology. And, as the commonwealth works
to address the opioid epidemic, telepsychiatry is
helping substance use disorder patients access
behavioral health services right from their treatment facilities.
SB 780 defines telemedicine,
ensures that consumers get care from qualified practitioners, and makes certain
that Pennsylvania’s diverse insurance community covers telemedicine
consistently.
“Pennsylvania’s hospital
community is committed to providing the right care, in the right place, at the
right time. Hospitals have seen first-hand how telemedicine can help consumers
gain access to providers from the comfort of their own home, bring down the
cost of care, reduce wait times for high-demand specialty services, and improve
access to care for many Pennsylvanians,” said HAP President and CEO Andy
Carter.
“HAP applauds Sen. Vogel for
his effort to provide health care consumers with greater choice and flexibility
in receiving the care they need. We encourage all policymakers to support the
measure as it moves forward.”
The bill awaits consideration
by the full Senate.
Categories: Press
Release, Health
IT, Opioid
Crisis, Telehealth,
Access
to Care