AJ Media Editorial Board
Expanding affordability of and accessibility to health care is a topic virtually everyone can get behind, and its urgency has become even more apparent through the impacts of the ongoing pandemic.
The Texas House has been busy addressing the state’s health care needs, and two pieces of those efforts came into view last week: expanding telehealth and providing prescription drug savings for uninsured residents. Each bill still needs to be approved with a third and final reading before it is sent to the Senate.
The House also passed two other measures for Medicaid recipients. The telemedicine and prescription drug bills received bipartisan support and would provide much-needed stability and consistency in terms of access to care for Texans who would no longer have to wonder on a month-by-month basis if the program would be extended.
Telehealth Expansion Gets Tentative Approval in Texas
The Texas House gave initial approval Wednesday to bipartisan bills that would expand telehealth after the coronavirus pandemic and create a prescription drug savings program for uninsured residents. by Nicole Cobler, Austin American-Statesman / April 15, 2021 Shutterstock
What would the
Texas telehealth bill do?
House Bill 4 would expand virtual health care to Medicaid and other public benefits program recipients, making permanent temporary waivers used during the COVID-19 pandemic to expand telemedicine. The bill also would allow the state to reimburse providers for the programs.
State
Rep. Four Price
, an
Amarillo Republican and author of the bill, said the measure would provide expansive coverage to more Texans, especially vulnerable residents, and address technology gaps.
Texas House tentatively OK's telehealth, drug savings bills statesman.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from statesman.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
State lawmakers pushing bills to expand healthcare, transparency
Texas Dems, GOP work to expand affordable healthcare across state
Texas lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are working to provide affordable healthcare to residents across the state. FOX 26 Political Reporter Greg Groogan had the details.
AUSTIN - With a deadly pandemic still lingering, lawmakers in the Texas House have turned their attention to improving access to doctors, healing drugs and vital therapies. I think healthcare is a priority for all Texans. It s something they talk about at the breakfast table and the dinner table and so we deliver for those Texans, said House Speaker Dade Phelan.
Texas lawmakers pushing bills to expand healthcare, transparency fox7austin.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from fox7austin.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.