AFP-KY Encourages Governor Beshear to Take Additional Action to Increase Access to Health Care

Mar 30, 2020 by AFP

Frankfort, Ky. – Americans for Prosperity-Kentucky (AFP-KY) commended Gov. Andy Beshear for taking swift action to address the spread of COVID-19 by exploring telehealth expansion and other reforms that could improve access to health care. AFP-KY recently sent a letter to Gov. Beshear offering steps his administration could take to expand access to critical health care services. The letter was in accordance with a memo AFP issued that included guidance for state-based reforms the group encouraged policymakers to consider as they explored ways to address the spread of COVID-19.

AFP-KY’s Mike Conway issued the following statement:

“Gov. Beshear has made it a priority to protect Kentuckians from the spread of COVID-19. We encourage him to swiftly enact additional reforms that have already been adopted by numerous governors across the country to expand access to crucial health care services. Together, we can effectively overcome the challenges we face.”

Background:

Americans for Prosperity on March 17 issued a guidance memo for state-based reforms that policymakers should adopt to help respond to the spread of COVID-19 and expand access to critical health care services for those who need it. In accordance with that memo, Americans for Prosperity sent a letter to the governor on March 18 encouraging him to take executive action to:

Lift regulatory barriers on telehealth and telemedicine for all patients, including those on public health programs such as Medicaid. This will allow medical professionals to provide services to a larger number of patients while also limiting the potential spread of the virus which could result from traditional, in-person office visits.
Waive scope of practice restrictions for nurses and non-physician providers. This will empower these health care professionals to deliver more within hospitals and provide more care in patients’ homes.
Lift licensing barriers to allow health care providers to work in the states with greatest need, regardless of the state in which they are licensed. This will free medical professionals to fully provide the services they are trained to provide and increase access to health care services.
Renew all expired state-administered health licenses, permits, certifications, and registrations for the duration of the health emergency. This will free medical professionals to fully provide the services they are trained to provide and increase access to health care services.

For further information or an interview, reach Lorenz Isidro at LIsidro@afphq.org or (703) 887-7724.

Through broad-based grassroots outreach, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is driving long-term solutions to the country’s biggest problems. AFP activists engage friends and neighbors on key issues and encourage them to take an active role in building a culture of mutual benefit, where people succeed by helping one another. AFP recruits and unites Kentuckians behind a common goal of advancing policies that will help people improve their lives. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org

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