Gianforte, Eshoo Introduce Bill to Increase Health Care Access Through Telehealth

Statement

Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) and Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.), chair of the Health Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, today introduced legislation to expand telehealth services throughout the country.

Their bipartisan National Telehealth Strategy and Data Advancement Act will increase access to care, reduce health care costs, collect critical information to improve policymaking, and streamline the administration of federal grants for researching the use of technology in health care.

"Many Montanans live in frontier and rural areas where access to doctors and specialists is a big challenge. They don't worry about when they can see a doctor. They worry if there's even a doctor to see," Rep. Gianforte said. "Telehealth can fix these problems. Using modern technology to make health care more accessible is a commonsense solution to our rural doctor shortage in Montana. This bill will help ensure that patients can have access to doctors and specialists where it is convenient for them."

"Telehealth has the potential to transform health care for every American," Rep. Eshoo said. "This bipartisan legislation will improve the way telehealth is delivered by providers and accessed by patients so all Americans, regardless of whether they live in rural towns or urban centers, can benefit from accessible, affordable telehealth."

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