Thompson Seeks to Increase Patient Access to Telehealth

Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Napa Valley) today announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation that will increase telehealth services offered to Medicare beneficiaries and expand access to health care for all Americans.

Last week, Thompson and Rep. Kenny Hulshof (R-MO) introduced the “Medicare Telehealth Enhancement Act of 2005” (H.R. 2807), a bill designed to widen the reach and expand the utilization of telemedicine nationwide.

“The data tells us that telemedicine delivers high-quality, cost-effective care to rural and medically underserved areas,” Thompson said. “Our bill builds on those facts and will result in more people seeking and receiving the care that they need.”

The legislation will eliminate geographical restrictions on and expand the types of facilities eligible for Medicare telehealth reimbursements. Further, it will authorize $30 million in funding for telehealth grant programs to be administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration. These programs will link rural hospitals, health care providers and patients to other hospitals, providers and patients.

“Telemedicine has successfully increased access to health care throughout Northern California,” Thompson said. “The Medicare Telehealth Enhancement Act will expand existing facilities nationwide and increase the access of all patients to medical experts across the country.”

The bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee of which Thompson and Hulshof are both members.