Idaho’s Opportunity to expand access to healthcare vis telehealth

Idaho faces serious healthcare provider shortages, particularly in our rural communities. In seeking to address this problem, telehealth has emerged as an important innovation that makes our healthcare system more efficient, more affordable, and more accessible to Idaho patients. By connecting with patients remotely, providers increase their capacity to care for more patients, and patients are able to use less-costly and more convenient alternatives to urgent care clinics, emergency rooms, and office visits.

That is why I have introduced House Bill 342, a bill that will encourage and enable innovation in healthcare technology by using telehealth to treat patients. This legislation would enable Idaho-licensed healthcare professionals to employ more telehealth delivery methods, notably removing the video-only connection requirement for the first visit. It is critical that we give our healthcare professionals the full suite of tools available so that all Idahoans can receive the care that they need.

HB 342 expands access to healthcare for Idaho patients by allowing more types of technology to be used in telehealth visits. An Idaho patient should not be denied access to care through telehealth simply because he or she lives in a community that lacks sufficient broadband capability to maintain a video connection, they cannot afford the technology to communicate over a video platform, or, as in the case with some senior citizens, are not comfortable using a computer. Studies have found that 40 percent of patients would forego care in lieu of travelling had it not been for telehealth. So, for those of us in rural areas with reduced connectivity, limiting telehealth means patients are forced to spend more time and money on long trips to the closest (or not so close) healthcare provider.

Idaho patients should be given the broadest ability to choose the technology over which they want to interact with Idaho-licensed health care providers. Telehealth has no waiting rooms or long commutes. Patients simply request an appointment, and the healthcare provider contacts them – all at the patient’s convenience and quality of care is never sacrificed.

Idaho was once a leader in implementing telehealth, but we are now one of only four states with this restrictive video-first requirement. Our narrowly written policy is holding us back from keeping pace with innovation. It’s time to stop limiting patient choice and access via telehealth and to maximize the technologies our providers can use. This will save Idahoans time, money, and headaches – figuratively and literally. I hope that you will join me in supporting House Bill 342.

Megan Blanksma, a Republican, represents the 23rd District in the Idaho Legislature.