[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           INTRODUCTION OF THE RURAL TELEMEDICINE ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                      HON. BLANCHE LAMBERT LINCOLN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 7, 1995
  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my two colleagues, 
Congressman Jay Dickey and Congressman Bill Richardson to introduce a 
bill which will have far-reaching implications for rural citizens in 
our Nation. This legislation, the Rural Telemedicine Act of 1995, will 
finally provide rural health care providers with Medicare reimbursement 
for the telemedicine services they provide.
  Telemedicine, while not all that new, has the potential to become the 
breakthrough technology for rural residents and their access to 
specialized and emergency health care. However, we have a role in 
making sure that rural residents have access to this possible 
innovation.
  In the past, Congress has focused solely upon providing funding for 
the equipment to transmit telemedicine services. This bill will enhance 
our efforts by giving providers in rural areas appropriate Medicare 
reimbursement for the services they are already providing for free. I 
am concerned that if we do not begin to pay for utilization, this 
service will not meet it's potential and rural constituents will be 
left out in the cold again.
  The Rural Telemedicine Act of 1995 is very cost conscious. The Health 
Care Financing Administration [HCFA] will oversee the disbursement of 
the Medicare funds to determine that care givers are using telemedicine 
appropriately. In addition, HCFA must provide Congress with several 
reports, both during and after this project's 3-year lifetime. This 
provision alone removes the blank-check syndrome we have experienced 
through pilot programs being constantly reauthorized. In this instance, 
Congress will receive substantive data about the most viable uses of 
telemedicine.
  I urge Members of this House to seriously consider cosponsoring the 
Rural Telemedicine Act of 1995. Please assist your rural constituencies 
in gaining access to viable health care options.


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