Topper Legislation to Increase Health Care Access, Endorsed by Health Committee
HARRISBURG – Today, legislation aimed at increasing access to quality health care, sponsored by state Rep. Jesse Topper (Bedford/Fulton/Franklin) was unanimously supported in a meeting of the House Health Committee.
The legislation,
House Bill 1619, would permit Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. The compact, which has been spearheaded by the Federation of State Medical Boards, is designed to allow eligible licensed physicians in one state to treat patients in other states via telemedicine, increasing health care access to patients in underserved areas.
“My legislation is about increasing patient access to quality health care. With today’s technology, patients can interact with doctors anywhere around the globe, but our laws are currently not structured to permit this treatment. My legislation would allow patients to consult with and be treated by specialists who may be registered out of state. Patients served under this law will still be protected by the full force of Pennsylvania’s health care laws. Doctors wishing to participate in this program will have to meet a high standard in order to practice across state lines, but ultimately this legislation will increase access to quality health care for underserved regions and benefit Pennsylvanians,” said Topper.
The terms of the compact will be administered and enforced by an interstate commission, which would grant an expedited license to an eligible licensed physician in one state to practice medicine in another state. In order for a physician to be eligible, he or she must be certified in a medical specialty, and have no prior record of being penalized by the courts, medical licensing agency or the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. The practice of medicine would follow the medical laws and regulations in the state the patient is residing, not the physician’s.
Currently, 16 states have already enacted similar legislation to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, legislation is pending in 10 additional states, including Pennsylvania.
The legislation now goes to the full House for consideration.
Representative Jesse Topper
78th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Eric Reath
717.260.6187
ereath@pahousegop.com