Greenville Reporter

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., together with Reps. Michael Burgess, Derrick Van Orden, and Troy Nehls, has reintroduced a bill aimed at permanently expanding access to telehealth services for rural America.

In a statement, Congressman Murphy emphasized the importance of telehealth for rural communities, stating, “Many patients have to travel hours to access healthcare. They face significant burdens in cost as well as time away from work. Telehealth services are critical for these rural communities who live far from clinics and hospitals."

Congressman Burgess echoed these sentiments, highlighting that "Expanding telehealth in our community will allow patients to receive quality care in an efficient manner, no matter their location." He expressed his commitment to working with his colleagues to advance this legislation.

Similarly, Congressman Van Orden emphasized the disparity in healthcare access for rural communities, stating, “Rural communities, like those in Wisconsin’s Third District, are routinely left on the sidelines when it comes to accessible health care." He sees expanding telehealth access as a crucial step in bridging this gap.

Congressman Nehls also voiced his support for the bill, noting how telehealth has transformed healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved areas. He stated, “I am proud to join my colleagues to make the extension of telehealth services for Federally Qualified Health Clinics and Rural Health Clinics permanent to continue providing immediate and increased access to essential healthcare services for millions of American patients nationwide."

The legislation aims to address the current Medicare telehealth flexibilities for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), which are set to expire on December 31, 2024. In 2020, telehealth services provided by FQHCs and RHCs played a significant role in granting millions of individuals in medically underserved communities access to essential healthcare services.

This bill represents a bipartisan effort to ensure that all Americans, regardless of their location, have access to quality healthcare services through telehealth.