May. 01, 2020
HARRISBURG – Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) issued the following statement regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of
Senate Bill 857, legislation that would have enhanced the availability of telemedicine services in Pennsylvania.
“I was very disappointed to learn of the governor’s veto of the telehealth bill. The House of Representatives worked on this legislation for several years and many other states have enacted similar measures.
“The governor’s decision is even more puzzling because it comes at a time when he is telling people to stay at home. The Legislature acted and passed a bill that was vetted through the system that would have allowed telehealth services for these folks.
“Our hospitals are begging for this type of relief, but the governor vetoed the bill and I have no idea why. It has nothing to do with abortion, as he argued. This proposal was about providing vital medical services to people who are stuck in their homes right now. We are seeing an uptick in the death rates of people who are having heart attacks and strokes at home because they’re afraid to seek medical help.
“The governor’s veto is simply unacceptable and I am calling on the House and Senate to issue a veto override as soon as possible to save lives. He is out of touch and should be ashamed, quite honestly, for pandering to his political base. By doing so, Gov. Wolf has put people’s lives in jeopardy here in the Commonwealth.”
Representative Doyle Heffley
122nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andy Briggs
717-260-6474
abriggs@pahousegop.com
RepHeffley.com / Facebook.com/RepHeffley