U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH) introduced bipartisan legislation that calls for a federal study on improving the permanent nationwide offering of telehealth services.
“Congress must work to enable the permanent expansion of telehealth — as well as the rural broadband infrastructure needed to use it — so Ohioans can continue receiving quality remote care,” said Rep. Balderson, who on June 18 sponsored the Knowing the Efficiency and Efficacy of Permanent (KEEP) Telehealth Options Act of 2020, H.R. 7233, with lead cosponsor U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA).
If enacted, H.R. 7233 would direct the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct studies and report to Congress on actions taken to expand access to telehealth services under the Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance programs during the COVID–19 emergency.
“Growing up in a rural community, I know firsthand the importance of access to quality healthcare,” Rep. Balderson said. “The coronavirus outbreak has highlighted Ohio’s need for an array of telehealth services, which have given many the ability to connect to quality care from the comfort and safety of their own homes.”
If enacted, H.R. 7233 would require HHS to conduct a comprehensive study and report to Congress on available expanded telehealth services; new provider reimbursement options; take-up of telehealth services for mental and behavioral health care; and a review of the public health impacts of this expansion, among other information that would help Congress to legislate a permanent expansion of telehealth services.
The bill also would require the Comptroller General under the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study and report to Congress on the efficiency, management and successes of expanded telehealth programs under the current public health emergency (PHE), as well as identify potential fraud risks. The GAO report also would need to include recommendations for improving PHE telehealth programs, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Balderson’s office.
H.R. 7233 is endorsed by more than 20 organizations, including the Ohio Hospital Association, the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers, Ohio Children’s Hospital Association, the American Hospital Association, the National Council for Behavioral Health, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, among many others.