[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 164 (Thursday, November 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         INTRODUCTION OF THE TELEHEALTH IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1999

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                         HON. BRIAN P. BILBRAY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 1999

  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction 
of H.R. 3420, the Telehealth Improvement Act of 1999. As we are 
learning, telemedicine services can dramatically improve upon the range 
of health care services available in medically underserved areas 
through the use of telecommunications technologies and services. 
Telemedicine can improve the delivery and access of health care 
services, and is especially useful when a patient needs a specialist 
who is unavailable in his or her area.
  By relying on technologies ranging from interactive video, e-mail, 
computers, fax machines, and satellites, patients will be able to 
communicate with their doctors and receive the health care they need 
regardless of their physical location. These telemedicine technologies 
can be used to deliver health care, diagnose patients, read X-rays, 
provide consultation, and educate health professionals, among other 
things.
  Telemedicine services reduce the cost of health care by increasing 
the timeliness of care, reducing emergency transportation costs, 
improving patient administration, and strengthening the expertise 
available to primary-care providers. Telemedicine services also help to 
bring services to medically underserved areas in a quick and cost-
effective manner, and can enable patients to avoid traveling long 
distances in order to receive access to health care.
  While the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 includes a provision that 
provides for some Medicare reimbursement of telemedicine services, the 
Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has interpreted it too 
narrowly and as a result, has severely limited the services which are 
covered. The Telehealth Improvement Act of 1999 will clarify the intent 
of Congress regarding Medicare reimbursement for telemedicine services 
and increases telemedicine access to medically underserved areas. This 
legislation makes improvements to the way telemedicine services are 
currently regulated and reimbursed through the Medicare program, and 
applies to rural, underserved, and frontier areas, including areas 
designated as health professional shortage areas under the Public 
Health Service Act.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in the House to support and 
cosponsor the Telehealth Improvement Act of 1999. We must continue to 
provide access to health care to underserved areas and provide adequate 
reimbursement to the hospitals and providers that are currently 
providing these services.

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