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Advancing Telehealth Beyond Covid-19 Act of 2021

Floor Speech

Date: July 27, 2022
Location: Washington, DC
Keyword Search: Covid

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Mr. HERN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4040, which will maintain seniors' access to telehealth, or what should be more appropriately called virtual health.

In 2020, the Trump administration eliminated bureaucratic red tape so seniors could access healthcare virtually from the comfort of their homes. As a result, 52 million seniors sought their medical care virtually in 2020.

I am proud to see my bill, the Protecting Mental Health Services Act, included in this legislation to ensure seniors have virtual access to mental health and substance abuse treatment. My bill ensures all Oklahomans can access high-quality care, regardless of their physical location.

While this legislation is a step forward, it is unfortunate that it excludes employer-sponsored healthcare from the same low-cost access to telehealth. It is critical to provide folks on the job with the ability to seek flexible treatment, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this provision at a later date.

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