WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12) led Representatives Susie Lee (NV-03), Ashley Hinson (IA-02), and Joe Neguse (CO-02) on Tuesday in introducing bipartisan legislation to expand and improve access to telehealth services for all Americans.
“Better access to quality health care services via telehealth has been a game-changer for Ohio’s rural communities,” said Representative Balderson. “Telehealth is helping to better connect patients and providers by reducing the need for long-distance travel for routine in-person care and consultations. I’m proud to join my colleagues to advance this health care innovation, which greatly benefits rural communities and children.”
The Knowing the Efficiency and Efficacy of Permanent (KEEP) Telehealth Options Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), and Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) to each conduct a report and issue recommendations on telehealth. These reports will include the expansion of telehealth services during the COVID-19 outbreak, the uptake of those services by patients across the country, and recommendations for enhancing the quality of and access to these services. The bill also asks each entity to make recommendations for potential improvement and expansion, as well as approaches to address and prevent fraudulent activity. This data is crucial in order for Congress to legislate a permanent expansion of telehealth.
“The COVID-19 pandemic made abundantly clear that the United States needs consistent, accessible telehealth services, especially for those in rural and underserved communities,” said Representative Lee. “I am proud to help reintroduce the KEEP Telehealth Options Act to ensure all Americans have the tools at their disposal to access the health care they need where they need it – and that’s exactly what this bill does.”
“A silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic was that commonsense telehealth options were more readily available. I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan KEEP Telehealth Options Act to preserve access to critical telehealth services and break down barriers to care in rural communities. This is an important step toward ensuring that those in rural areas have the same access to care that those in urban areas do, and I look forward to continued, bipartisan work on this issue,” said Representative Hinson.
“For Americans in rural communities and beyond, access to expanded telehealth services helps to bridge gaps in receiving quality healthcare,” said Representative Joe Neguse. “The KEEP Telehealth Options Act works to develop our country’s remote care systems, enhancing critical care services for families and hardworking individuals across our country.”
What Others Are Saying:
“The effectiveness of telehealth to expand access to quality care for children was important before the pandemic – and has become even more vital for children since the pandemic,” said Nick Lashutka, President and CEO, Ohio Children’s Hospital Association. “Telehealth is an important option for efficient healthcare delivery for a variety of health concerns and addresses factors that tend to limit care – from helping parents return to work more quickly and helping students miss less school to addressing transportation limitations and offering more convenient hours for consultations. In addition, we believe telehealth provides an important tool in the toolbox to addressing the provider shortages and continuing challenges with caseload in the delivery of behavioral health services at a time when we are facing a pediatric behavioral health care crisis in our county.”
“Ohio’s Community Health Centers applaud Congressman Balderson for his continued leadership in expanding access to quality and timely care, and particularly his advocacy to ensure that the gains realized in building our telehealth capabilities during the pandemic remain in place, particularly for our under-resourced communities, ” said Julie DiRossi-King, Chief Operating Officer, Ohio Association of Community Health Centers. “Congressman Balderson is a true champion for our Community Health Centers and the patients and communities they so well serve and we are incredibly grateful he authored legislation to provide Health Centers with the needed flexibility to offer more access to care options so Ohioans can be connected to the appropriate care at the right time and in the most cost-effective location, a true win-win.”
“The COVID pandemic led to rapid adoption of telehealth and it is now critical to maintain equitable access to care in the post-pandemic era. At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, families have come to rely on telehealth to overcome barriers to care. In addition to addressing transportation concerns, telehealth saves families time by reducing school and work absences. Patients have access to a range of services that are well-suited for telehealth - from speech and mental health therapy to chronic disease management. The Keep Telehealth Options Act will inform policy decisions by providing valuable reports to Congress about the use and efficacy of telehealth,” said Dr. Skyler E. Kalady, Telehealth Medical Director for Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
“Hospitals continue to lead efforts to deliver high-quality and innovative telehealth services across Ohio and the country giving patients more options to receive care,” said Scott Borgemenke, Senior Vice President, Advocacy, Ohio Hospital Association. “We appreciate Congressman Balderson’s leadership supporting the permanent expansion of telehealth services including investing in rural broadband infrastructure that will strengthen patient access to health care.”
“Telehealth has created innovative and safe ways for hospitals and health systems to deliver patient-centered care. We appreciate Representative Balderson's legislation, which will build on the lessons learned from telehealth usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Making the coverage of telehealth services permanent is critical for hospitals and health systems to deliver more convenient access and care to as many patients as possible while improving satisfaction and outcomes,” said Lisa Kidder Hrobsky, Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Political Affairs, American Hospital Association.
“Expanding telehealth options allows patients to more easily connect with caregivers, regardless of where they live, to get the care they need. The pandemic demonstrated that we can use technology to improve both access and outcomes, providing care for people from the comfort of their own homes. Congress should work to enable the permanent expansion of telehealth so people across Ohio and the nation can continue to receive quality care in whatever is the best setting for them,” said Dr. Peter Pronovost, Chief Quality & Clinical Transformation Officer at University Hospitals.
“While the pandemic took its toll on everyone, one important lesson we learned is Ohioans are able to access high-quality healthcare using telehealth,” said Tonya Apke, President of the Ohio Physical Therapy Association. “It is an excellent tool to reach those in rural areas or those with mobility and transportation struggles. Telehealth won’t replace in-person physical therapy but can be used with great success to complement our traditional hands-on care. The Ohio Physical Therapy Association applauds Congressman Balderson’s actions to protect this mode of care delivery for his constituents and all Ohioans.”
“As a longtime advocate of expanded access to telehealth, the Ohio State Medical Association is happy to once again support the KEEP Telehealth Options Act,” said Joe Rosato, a spokesperson for the Ohio State Medical Association. “Utilization of telehealth increased exponentially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this increased usage represents a learning opportunity. By examining how changes were implemented and collecting data, we can find potential areas for improvement and gain a better understanding of how telehealth can continue to be used to benefit the health and well-being of Ohioans. The pandemic demonstrated that telehealth is a valuable tool for increasing overall access to high-quality care, particularly for underserved populations. As we assess how to move forward, this legislation will help to ensure Congress obtains the critical data needed to make policy decisions that impact telehealth in the future.
“OhioHealth is grateful to Congressman Balderson for his commitment to expanded, responsible patient access to telehealth services,” said Jeff Kasler, a spokesperson for OhioHealth. “Patients across our footprint, especially in rural communities, can utilize telehealth visits for ease of access to our team of healthcare providers.”
