For Immediate Release
Washington, DC – The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) applauds the Texas House of Representatives for passing telehealth legislation that will allow millions of Texans access to the care they need, when and where they need it.
ERIC previously submitted testimony regarding House Bill 2967 and its companion, Senate Bill 1107, which is the version the House passed yesterday. ERIC is pleased that the bill passed requires the same standard of care for telehealth services as for in-person visits, permits e-prescribing, and eliminates the requirement that a provider and patient meet in person before taking advantage of telehealth services.
As the only national association that advocates exclusively for large employers on health, retirement, and compensation public policies at the state, federal, and local levels, ERIC has a strong interest in helping to create barrier-free access to telehealth for its members, many of whom have employees and retirees in Texas.
“ERIC is encouraged by the bill’s passing and strongly urges the Governor to sign the bill into law once the Senate concurs,” said Adam Greathouse, Health Policy Associate, ERIC. “After working with Texas lawmakers for more than a year to help create a better understanding of how telehealth can benefit Texans, we are enthusiastic about its growing acceptance in the state and across the country.”
ERIC previously filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Teladoc, Inc. et al v. Texas Medical Board et al supporting the use of telemedicine. In February 2016, ERIC submitted testimony to the House Health and Human Services Committee calling for technology-neutral requirements allowing for the use of different telemedicine platforms and licensing policies that facilitate interstate practice. ERIC also urged Texas legislators not to force patients to visit specific locations to access telemedicine services and not to impose additional requirements on telemedicine providers that are not imposed on in-person visits.