Columbus Standard

Washington D.C. – On May 9, 2023, Congressman Greg Pence (R-IN) and Congresswoman Angie Craig (D-MN) sent a bipartisan letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) urging that they review the federal government’s efforts regarding the adoption of telehealth services in rural communities, including telehealth disparities caused by a lack of broadband access and necessary technology.

“Americans are facing higher medical costs and fewer options for care, particularly in rural communities where competition is limited and travel time to the nearest medical center can be long. Therefore, people residing in remote areas are increasingly reliant on having effective and efficient broadband connectivity to deliver them telehealth services,” said Congressman Pence. “It is crucial that the federal government support America’s rural communities and economies by improving telehealth capabilities for residents in these areas.”

“For rural communities like the ones I represent, telehealth has become a critical part of folks’ health care plans. That’s why we need to support robust access to diverse rural health care options and reliable broadband and promote health care worker retention. I’m working with Rep. Pence to ensure we’re taking the right steps at the federal level to help rural Americans access affordable health care,” said Congresswoman Craig.

Click here to read the full letter.

Background:

According to the 2020 Rural Telehealth Initiative Memorandum of Understanding, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Federal Communications Commission, in accordance with their legal authorities, should take steps to improve the deployment of federal broadband programs in rural America. All three of these federal agencies fall under the review of the Government Accountability Office (GAO). 

In this letter, the lawmakers requested the GAO review the 2020 Rural Telehealth Initiative Memorandum of Understanding and report on: 

1. What has been reported about the usage of telehealth in rural areas.

2. What barriers and opportunities have been identified regarding the utilization of telehealth services, including for substance use, behavioral telehealth services, and veterans’ telehealth services.

3. How the Rural Telehealth Initiative is working and if any improvements need to be made.

Original source can be found here.