WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL) joined Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee who released a discussion draft this week outlining a bold plan to further promote telehealth for patients. Modernizing telehealth capabilities will expand access to important health resources for rural Illinoisans in the 18th Congressional District.
In response to the novel coronavirus, Congress and the Trump administration have enacted an unprecedented expansion of telehealth. These temporary waivers have allowed many health-care services to go virtual in order to help patients safely connect with doctors and prevent the spread of the virus by following local and state social distancing orders. The new proposal from the Ways and Means Committee will build on the efforts of the Trump Administration by supporting long term and permanent changes to telehealth.
“COVID-19 put an incredible strain on our health care system,” Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) said. “Telehealth services have played a vital part in our efforts to combat this virus, particularly in our rural communities in central and west-central Illinois. The Ways and Means Republican discussion draft lays out an important framework to continue bolstering critical telehealth services for patients and increase access to healthcare both now and after COVID.”
“As we continue to fight the novel coronavirus, Republicans are working to make health care more convenient and accessible for all Americans,” Ways and Means GOP Leader Kevin Brady (R-TX) said. “I want to thank all of our Members for their work on this agenda – we will continue to engage with patients, stakeholders, and policy makers as we move these bold ideas forward.”
“Given the success of increased access to telehealth for Americans during the pandemic, Congress should prioritize making increased access to telehealth a permanent function of our nation’s healthcare system,” Health Subcommittee GOP Leader Devin Nunes (R-CA) added.
CLICK HERE to view the full discussion draft, and HERE for a summary of the provisions in the discussion draft.
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