Arkansas House rejects telemedicine bill

The Arkansas House of Representatives last week rejected a bill that would allow telemedicine companies to provide telemedicine services in the state using physicians licensed and living in Arkansas. The bill would allow patients to be treated by a physician through various forms of video using providers such as Teladoc, which facilitate the contact between patients and physicians.

House Bill 1747 would “open the telemedicine healthcare door” providing expanded access to care and saving hundreds of thousands of dollars, said Rep. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, who sponsored the bill. However, several lawmakers expressed concern that telemedicine would be detrimental to patients who actually need to see a physician in person. “Just because it costs less doesn’t mean it’s good medicine,” said Rep. Stephen Magie, D-Conway. “It may sound good, but I think in the long term it’s going to sell our patients short.”

“This is about … letting consumers and doctors make decisions about healthcare,” countered Rep. David Meeks, R-Conway. “This model works in 49 other states.” Arkansas is the only state that doesn’t allow telemedicine companies to practice, Sullivan noted.

Source: Arkansas Online