ERIC Submits Testimony to Advance Telemedicine in Texas and New Hampshire

For Immediate Release

Washington, DC – The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) has submitted written testimony to advance telemedicine in Texas and New Hampshire. As the only national association advocating solely for the employee benefit and compensation interests of the country’s largest employers, ERIC actively seeks to enhance our members’ ability to provide high-quality, affordable health care.

“Since launching our telemedicine initiative, ERIC has been involved in state-level rulemaking, working to remove artificial barriers that limit access to telehealth” said Annette Guarisco Fildes, president and CEO, ERIC. “ERIC and our members recognize the significant opportunity provided by telemedicine to modernize health care delivery and improve access to quality medical care for workers, retirees, and their families when and how they need it.”

In written testimony to the Texas House of Representatives Public Health Committee, ERIC encouraged policymakers to consider the needs of patients by providing better access to care through telemedicine. ERIC stated support for policies that include technology-neutral requirements allowing for the use of different telemedicine platforms and licensing policies that facilitate inter-state practice. ERIC also encouraged avoiding restrictions requiring patients to visit specific locations and not imposing additional requirements on telemedicine providers that are not imposed on in-person visits.

In New Hampshire, ERIC submitted testimony to the House Committee on Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs in support of House Bill 1209 (HB 1209) –regarding the establishment of provider-patient relationships through the use of telemedicine. ERIC is encouraged that HB 1209 seeks to expand the existing telemedicine definition, specifically striking the face-to-face requirement in establishing a relationship between the patient and the provider.

ERIC also applauds the more technology-neutral requirement put forth in HB 1209 that will allow patients to use different types of technology designed for telemedicine. ERIC urges the Committee to consider who in New Hampshire will benefit from the increased access to telemedicine services, to support HB 1209, and to advance the bill out of committee favorably.

To read ERIC’s Texas testimony click here.

To read ERIC’s New Hampshire testimony click here.

You can learn more about ERIC’s telehealth initiative here.

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All media inquiries to The ERISA Industry Committee should be directed to media@eric.org.

About The ERISA Industry Committee
ERIC is a national advocacy organization that exclusively represents large employers that provide health, retirement, paid leave, and other benefits to their nationwide workforces. With member companies that are leaders in every sector of the economy, ERIC advocates on the federal, state, and local levels for policies that promote flexibility and uniformity in the administration of their employee benefit plans.