Congresswoman Hochul Announces Veterans Telehealth Legislation

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Kathy Hochul announced she will introduce the Veterans' Telehealth & Telemedicine Improvement Act in Congress tomorrow. The legislation would improve and expand the VA telehealth initiative and provide veterans in rural areas with easier access to medical care.

"More than three million of our veterans enrolled in the VA health system live in rural areas and do not have immediate access to a VA facility," said Congresswoman Hochul. "Instead of having the VA spend billions of dollars on reimbursements for travel, we can pass a bill that will provide better access to healthcare, while cutting unnecessary spending at the VA."

Congresswoman Hochul's legislation will offer veterans improved access to specialty care, especially in rural areas, better utilization of scarce health care resources, and improved coordination of care. Additionally, the bill will provide VA the authority to waive co-pays for veterans' telehealth and telemedicine.

Approximately 41% of the nation's veterans enrolled in the VA health system live in rural areas. During the 2010 fiscal year, $1.34 billion was spent on travel reimbursements, of which $745 million went to beneficiary travel alone.

Hochul added, "This legislation can cut costs and save the VA and the American taxpayers money, while reducing the out of pocket costs for our veterans. We can help deliver millions of veterans nationwide, including 47,000 veterans right here in the 26th District, the quality affordable healthcare they so rightly deserve."

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