A bill (HR 1832), by Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), would help expand access to telehealth services to veterans across the U.S., the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
Last week, the Servicemembers' Telemedicine and E-Health Portability Act -- also known as the STEP Act -- was added to the $690 billion Defense authorization bill (Prine, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 5/28). The STEP Act has received widespread bipartisan support, according to National Journal.
Details of the Legislation
Thompson said that the legislation primarily was designed for mental health services but that it could be extended to other types of medical care.
The legislation aims to make it easier for health care professionals to provide care using telehealth tools including video links, phone calls and Skype.
In addition, the bill would exempt out-of-state health care providers from having to obtain a medical license in the patient's state. Health care providers still would need to be licensed by the Department of Defense (Fox, National Journal, 5/29).
The Defense authorization bill was passed by the House last week and sent to the Senate (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 5/28).