The American Medical Association voiced support for a proposed rule that would expand telehealth services at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The proposed rule would amend the VA's medical regulations to standardize VA healthcare providers' use of telehealth by ensuring they provide the same level of care to all beneficiaries, regardless of state or location. By enabling VA providers to treat veterans via telehealth across state lines, the rule would increase access to mental health, specialty and general clinical care.
The AMA warns that the rule should not expand beyond VA-employed providers to contracted physicians that may not have the same training, staff support or shared access to a beneficiary's EHR.
"This decision ensures that important patient protections are in place for the delivery of high quality and reliable care," said Jack Resneck Jr., MD, chair-elect of the AMA board of trustees. "We applaud the VA's expansion of telehealth services in a manner that promotes quality and access."
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