Newhouse, Torres Small Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Telemedicine in Rural Areas

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced the Increasing Rural Health Access During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Act, a bipartisan bill that aims to increase telehealth access for rural communities and facilitate the use of remote patient monitoring technology during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This pandemic has demonstrated the vital importance of allowing rural healthcare facilities to fully embrace telemedicine as a way to reach patients in outlying and underserved areas," said Rep. Newhouse. "Supporting the expansion of telemedicine and remote patient monitoring will empower our healthcare providers to ensure that no patient is left behind, especially during a public health emergency. I am proud to work in a bipartisan fashion with Rep. Torres Small to introduce this legislation, which will give our rural hospitals, clinics, and community health centers in Central Washington and beyond the tools they need to increase access to quality, effective healthcare."

"No matter where you live, New Mexicans should be able to get high-quality healthcare close to home. COVID-19 has only heightened the importance of expanding telemedicine in rural communities. I'm proud to lead the introduction of bipartisan and bicameral legislation that would provide opportunities for rural providers across the district and nationwide to expand community-based services to reach more patients. We must continue to work towards innovative solutions to expand access to healthcare and make sure our rural communities aren't left behind," said Rep. Torres Small.

The bill creates a pilot program within the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to facilitate the use of remote patient monitoring technology in rural areas during the COVID-19 crisis.

Click here to read the full text of the bill. Click here for a summary of the bill.

The following Central Washington healthcare providers issued statements of support for the Increasing Rural Health Access During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Act:

Angela Gonzalez, CEO of Community Health of Central Washington: "Community Health of Central Washington (CHCW) realized quickly the important role telemedicine could play throughout our nation's response to this pandemic. Ensuring access to healthcare providers through this means prevents unnecessary negative outcomes for patients who need care and cannot access it with the current challenges… CHCW commends Representatives Newhouse and Torres Small for introducing this legislation as a means to potentially remedy or at least soften the blow to our underserved patients." Click here to read CHCW's letter of support for the bill.

Alan Fisher, CEO, and Dr. Jennifer Thill, CMO of Mid-Valley Hospital: "Despite having three hospitals and several medical clinics spread out throughout the county, there continue to be significant gaps in care in our vast and rural region where people are bound by high poverty, extreme weather conditions, and lack of public transportation. Noting limitations to high-speed broadband, we agree with facilitating the use of remote patient monitoring technology that is an FDA-cleared, and cellular-enabled to operate at lower frequency levels to facilitate adoption in rural areas without broadband access. This will enhance the capability of providing these services to rural residents and avoiding critical delays in care by enhancing telehealth access. We thank Congressman Newhouse for his foresight and leadership in assisting with providing innovative rural health care opportunities for all citizens." Click here to read Mid-Valley's letter of support for the bill.

Dr. Peter Rutherford, CEO of Confluence Health: "The need to interact with patients in a non-face-to-face manner is critical in helping patients maintain their health, especially the control of chronic health conditions during the time of this COVID-19 pandemic. The use of remote monitoring requires current equipment, and it can be a help to all patients. The availability of funding to allow those who are underserved due to geography, financial, or social situations will be of great help in making this method of care delivery more widely used."

Background:

The Increasing Rural Health Access During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Act would create a pilot grant program within HRSA to facilitate the use of remote patient monitoring technology in rural areas during the COVID-19 crisis. The bill aims to increase telehealth access for rural America at a time when patients are encouraged to seek care remotely.

Entities eligible for grants must:

· Be located in a rural area

· Use remote patient monitoring technology that is an FDA-cleared, and cellular-enabled to operate at lower frequency levels to facilitate adoption in rural areas without broadband access

Grantees may use federal funds for salaries, equipment, and operating or other costs, including the cost of:

· Developing and delivering remote patient monitoring services that enhance access to community-based health care services in rural areas, frontier communities, or medically underserved areas or for medically underserved populations

· Developing and acquiring, through lease or purchase, computer hardware and software, audio and video equipment, computer network equipment, interactive equipment, data terminal equipment, and other equipment that furthers the objectives of the telehealth network grant programs

· Providing for transmission of medical data and maintenance of equipment

The bill authorizes $50 million to be used during the period beginning on January 1, 2020 and ending January 1, 2022 in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

In September 2019, Reps. Newhouse and Torres-Small introduced the Rural MOMS Act, which aims to improve healthcare access for new and expecting mothers in rural communities.