A set of proposed telemedicine regulations in Arkansas were close to moving forward, but a legislative panel did not approve them, according to swtimes.com.
The rules would enable physicians to establish a relationship with patients through technology. But according to Act 887 of 2015, which is currently in place, "the patient would still have to be located in a doctor's office or other healthcare facility at the time of the examination," ArkansasOnline.com states.
On Monday, members of the House and Senate committees on public health, welfare and labor brought up concerns that the Arkansas State Medical Board had made a suggested change to the regulations after the public comment period. The change involves the definition of "store and forward technology," and whether a patient's information can be sent to a physician's office despite the patient not being present.
The medical board's attorney refuted the claim that the change was outside the public comment period.
Now that the panel has denied the regulations, they'll move to the state's rules and regulations subcommittee.