U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH) plans next week to unveil the bipartisan Emergency COVID Telehealth Response Act to expand telehealth services in America’s rural communities.
“Just because Ohioans are staying at home doesn’t mean they don’t need continued care,” Rep. Balderson said on April 24. “The challenges posed by this pandemic require innovative solutions and accommodations. This legislation will help connect Ohioans — especially those living in rural areas or at high risk for COVID-19 — to essential treatments while also supporting our state’s ongoing efforts to reduce the virus’ spread.”
Specifically, Rep. Balderson and U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA) will introduce the bill to amend the Social Security Act to ensure the extension of the telehealth waiver authority of the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and certain other providers, according to the text of the bill.
If enacted, the bill would temporarily enable those types of care providers to virtually treat patients, according to a bill summary provided by the congressman’s office.
“During this coronavirus pandemic, Iowans who need physical or occupational therapy should not be forced to get face-to-face care in order to keep themselves on track,” said Rep. Axne. “This legislation will make sure that patients with ALS and other illnesses have the same access to therapies in their home that we’ve granted for other medical services.”
The American Physical Therapy Association, the Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation, the ALS Foundation, and the American Occupational Therapy Association have endorsed the bill, among others.