MONACA – At the request of Senator Elder A. Vogel Jr. (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) the Senate Majority Policy Committee will discuss the future of telemedicine in Pennsylvania. This event will take place on Wednesday, September 30 at 10:00 AM.
“Since the veto of SB 857 in April, we continue to hear from patients, doctors, and hospitals regarding their need for this legislation. Although that bill has been stopped, the demands for telemedicine have grown exponentially. We are continuing our work with experts and professionals throughout the healthcare industry to discuss our next steps forward. We will continue our fight for telemedicine in Pennsylvania,” said Senator Vogel.
Telemedicine is the method in which doctors and other health care professionals evaluate and treat patients by using telecommunications technology as opposed to a physical visit to the doctor’s office. Though telemedicine has gained popularity since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has its origins in the 1950’s.
Senate Bill 857, sponsored by Senator Vogel, was drafted to help patients receive health care consultation through telemedicine. Despite the bill passing from both the House of Representatives (111-77) and the Senate (29-21), the Governor vetoed the bill.
“Telemedicine helps Pennsylvanians, especially our rural residents, receive the healthcare consultation that the need,” said Majority Policy Committee Chairman Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks). “With the ongoing pandemic, many people have been opting out of the traditional doctor’s office visit and have instead turned to remote visits. It’s disappointing that Governor Wolf vetoed Senator Vogel’s bill which would have expanded telemedicine in the Commonwealth. Senate Bill 857 had the potential to help millions of Pennsylvanians. I look forward to this conversation hosted by Senator Vogel about the future of this issue in Pennsylvania.”
More information can be found on the committee’s website at http://policy.pasenategop.com
Contact: Joshua J. Paul
717.787.2637