Better Access to Health Care for Veterans

Rapid advances in telemedicine technology offer many benefits, especially in rural areas of the country.  Telemedicine, or telehealth, gives access to health care services that otherwise might be out of reach.  This week, I re-introduced legislation with senators from Alaska and Montana to waive co-payments, which can be as high as $50 a visit, for telehealth for veterans.

Our legislation is designed to make sure veterans are able to take advantage of valuable, cost-effective services.  The quality and volume of telehealth services continues to improve.  Telehealth also reduces overall costs for the VA.  The VA has taken a lead role in adopting telehealth strategies, and it is expanding programs based on good results, including reduced hospital admissions, reduced clinic and emergency room visits, and shorter hospital stays.

Passage of this bill would be a win-win for veterans and taxpayers.
                                    
Waiving the payments would lessen the burden on veterans and encourage more veterans to take advantage of telehealth programs, improving their ability to manage health issues and have a better quality of life.  Already, in Iowa, thousands of veterans are enrolled in Care Coordination Home Telehealth, Clinical Video Telehealth, and Teleretinal Imaging telehealth programs.

Telehealth offers a lifeline for veterans, and after what they’ve done for us, in protecting America’s freedoms and liberties, it’s the least we can do for them.