AFP-Virginia Telemedicine Bills Unanimously Pass House and Senate

Feb 5, 2019 by AFP

RICHMOND, Va. – Health care legislation allowing Virginians access to quality health care through the use of telemedicine passed both the House and the Senate with sweeping bipartisan support. Americans for Prosperity-Virginia backed HB 1970 and SB 1221, companion bills that will allow more Virginians to access the care they need.

“It’s exciting to see lawmakers come together and pass legislation that is going to improve the lives of thousands of Virginians. On behalf of AFP-Virginia’s thousands of activists who made their voices heard on this legislation, we’d like to thank Senators Chafin and Chase, as well as Delegates Kilgore and Guzman for their leadership and support,” said Americans for Prosperity-Virginia State Director JC Hernandez. “Every Virginian should have access to quality health care right at their fingertips. Thanks to these reforms, more folks in the Commonwealth will have access to the care they need when they need it. We look forward to its swift passage.”

Background:

Telemedicine allows health care providers to work with patients from a distance by using digital communication.
This legislation instructs the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to reimburse doctors for remotely monitoring vital changes in their patient’s health – incentivizing doctors to continually track changes in their patients’ health, without the patient having to physically travel to the doctor’s office.
This legislation treats telemedicine and in-person care equally. This will allow competition and enable Virginians to have access to new, innovative care that will benefit them.
This legislation commissions a one-year study to look at how access to out-of-state doctors would impact health outcomes in Virginia.