Alliance Support Letter for DC Bill 25-125 – Uniform Telehealth Act of 2023
The Alliance submitted a letter of support to Christina Henderson, Chair of the Committee on Health within the Council of the District of Columbia, for Bill 25-125 - Uniform Telehealth Act of 2023. The bill would adopt the Uniform Telehealth Act in the District of Columbia, which would provide the District with the clear guidance and framework needed to facilitate the delivery of services via telehealth consistent with the standard of care of the jurisdiction in which the patient is located. It would also establish a registration system for out-of-state practitioners to provide telehealth services to patients located in [...]
Alliance Support Letter for Nevada Assembly Bill 198
The Alliance submitted a letter of support to Elaine Marzola, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor in the Nevada State Legislature, for Assembly Bill 198. The bill would adopt the Uniform Telehealth Act in the State of Nevada. The Uniform Telehealth Act would provide the state with the clear guidance and framework needed to facilitate the delivery of services via telehealth consistent with the standard of care of the state in which the patient is located. It would also establish a registration system for out-of-state practitioners to provide telehealth services to patients located in the state [...]
Alliance Submits Comments in Response to the Senate HELP Committee Workforce RFI
The Alliance for Connected Care submitted comments in response to the request for information from the Senate HELP Committee on the drivers of the health care workforce shortage. The Alliance specifically outlined the important role that telehealth can play in addressing health care workforce shortages moving forward and why telehealth should be included in any legislative action on this issue to ensure a comprehensive approach to bolstering the health care workforce nationwide. To read the full letter, click here or see below: Alliance 2022 Survey Cross-state licensure Alliance OPPS Comment Letter Letter to [...]
Alliance Statement on Cross-State Licensure in SOTU
We are grateful to President Biden for highlighting the pressing issue of cross-state licensure in advance of the State of the Union. The pandemic taught us that it is possible, and safe, to allow providers to treat patients anywhere. State borders should cease to be an artificial barrier to health care. It’s time to change the cumbersome, time-consuming, expensive, and duplicative licensing rules that prevent patients from receiving care from qualified, licensed providers in other states. We would miss an opportunity if we approach this issue incrementally. Allowing cross-state treatment for one patient population or disease-type may have made [...]
Alliance Support Letter for Washington SB 5481 – Concerning the Uniform Telehealth Act
The Alliance submitted a letter of support to Annette Cleveland, Chair of the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee within the Washington State Legislature, for Senate Bill 5481 - Concerning the Uniform Telemedicine Act. The bill would adopt the Uniform Telemedicine Act in the State of Washington. The Uniform Telemedicine Act would provide the state with the clear guidance and framework needed to facilitate the delivery of services via telehealth consistent with the standard of care of the state in which the patient is located. It would also establish a registration system for out-of-state practitioners to provide telehealth [...]
Alliance Submits Comments in Response to White House OSTP on Clinical Research Infrastructure and Emergency Clinical Trials
The Alliance for Connected Care submitted comments in response to the request for information from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on clinical research infrastructure and emergency clinical trials . The Alliance specifically outlined licensure restrictions that present a barrier to clinical trial recruitment and diversity and present a recommendation for OSTP’s consideration. As one goal of this emergency clinical trials initiative is to support the expansion of clinical research into underserved communities, and increase diversity among both trial participants and clinical trial investigators, the Alliance believes that continuing to modernize and decentralize [...]
Alliance Submits Comments in Response to CMS RFI on Medicare Advantage
The Alliance for Connected Care submitted comments in response to the request for information from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. The Alliance specifically commented on the role that telehealth has played in providing access to care in the MA program and key policy considerations for CMS to ensure this care modality is available and effectively utilized within the MA program moving forward. Top recommendations to CMS include: Move forward with dramatic expansions to the use of telehealth to meet network adequacy requirements; Clarify that the use of diagnoses [...]
Alliance Submits Comments in response to the Health and Human Services’ Strengthen Primary Health Care RFI
The Alliance for Connected Care submitted comments in response to the request for information from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on strengthening primary health care. The Alliance specifically commented on impact of telehealth in primary care access. The Alliance recommends the HHS to: Prevent restrictions, such as in-person visits requirements on primary care, that prevent telehealth from effectively bridging primary care gaps, especially in areas where the primary health care workforce is already limited; Reduce payment or practice barriers restricting the locations from which providers can offer telehealth (such as their homes) - creating [...]
Alliance submits comments in response to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy on Strengthening Community Health Through Technology RFI
The Alliance for Connected Care submitted comments in response to the request for information from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on strengthening community health through technology. The Alliance specifically commented on the burdensome licensure requirements which create a barrier in access to virtual health care. The Alliance recommends the federal government to: Develop and implement a national framework for interstate licensure; and Address state licensing limitations that impact clinical trial recruitment and diversity. The Alliance believes telehealth and remote patient monitoring are important tools for bringing innovative services and treatments to those with the [...]
Alliance submits comments in response to Healthy Future Task Force Treatments Subcommittee RFI
The Alliance for Connected Care submitted comments in response to the request for information from the Treatments Subcommittee of the Healthy Future Task Force regarding medical innovation to supercharge the availability and development of life-saving treatments, devices, and diagnostics, while addressing rising costs to patients. The Alliance specifically commented on the question under “Goal 4: Increase access to medical innovation” about decentralizing clinical trials in order to expand access to innovative treatments to patients through remote monitoring. The Alliance believes continuing to modernize and decentralize clinical trials is critical for creating opportunities for more diversity and patient engagement. Obviating the [...]
Alliance submits comments in response to Healthy Future Task Force Modernization Subcommittee RFI
The Alliance for Connected Care provided comments in response to the Healthy Future Task Force Modernization Subcommittee request for information regarding the utilization of wearable technologies, the expansion of telemedicine, and digital modernization efforts in the United States health care system. The goal of the Healthy Future Task Force is to build on Republican health policy goals and craft patient-focused agendas for the future. The Modernization Subcommittee aims to harness technological innovations to deliver affordable, quality care to all Americans. The Alliance believes telehealth has the potential to broaden access to care and improve patient engagement and outcomes, and [...]
Alliance Support Letter for Minnesota SB 2303
The Alliance submitted a letter of support to Paul J. Utke, the Chair of the Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee, for Senate Bill 2303. The bill would adopt the Nurse Licensure Compact in the State of Minnesota. The Nurse Licensure Compact allows for the issuance of multistate licenses that allow nurses to practice in their home state and other compact states, without having to obtain additional licenses. This bill is critical because it allows for mutual recognition of state licenses between states participating in the compact. One of the biggest barriers to telehealth becoming a [...]
Alliance Submits Comments to FSMB Draft Report on Appropriate Use of Telemedicine Technologies
The Alliance for Connected Care submitted comments in response to the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) request for comments on the draft document entitled “Report on the Appropriate Use of Telemedicine Technologies in the Practice of Medicine.” The Alliance offered comments we hope the FSMB Workgroup on Telemedicine will consider as it finalizes this document in the coming weeks. We primarily offer recommendations around the provision of audio-only telehealth, reforming licensure laws and regulations, removing restrictive in-person requirements for establishing a provider-patient relationship, and addressing health equity through broadband access and affordability. Summarized below are takeaways from our [...]
Alliance Support Letter for Utah SB 151
The Alliance submitted a letter of support to Sen. Curtis S. Bramble, Chair of the Utah Senate Business and Labor Committee, for Senate Bill 151. Senate Bill 151 would adopt the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact. Under this compact, Advance Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) licensed in a Compact member state may practice in another Compact member state, allowing APRNs to have one multistate license with the ability to practice in all Compact states without having to obtain additional licenses. The APRN Compact would establish multistate compacts that have reciprocity and that do not require additional licensing, while simultaneously [...]
Alliance submits letter of support for Maryland HB 670 – Study on Expansion of Interstate Telehealth
On February 8, the Alliance for Connected Care submitted a letter of support for Maryland House Bill 670, which would require the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) to study the ways that interstate telehealth can be expanded to allow Maryland residents to use telehealth to receive health services from out-of-state practitioners. As a telehealth advocacy organization, the Alliance believes that one of the biggest barriers to telehealth becoming a regular patient and provider choice is the administrative burden caused by the variation in licensure requirements from state to state. This bill would allow the state to evaluate the role [...]
Alliance Support Letter for Maryland SB 154
The Alliance submitted a letter of support to Sen. Paul G. Pinsky, Chair of the Maryland Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee, for Senate bill 154. Senate Bill 154 would adopt the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact. Under this compact, Advance Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) licensed in a Compact member state may practice in another Compact member state, allowing APRNs to have one multistate license with the ability to practice in all Compact states without having to obtain additional licenses. The APRN Compact would establish multistate compacts that have reciprocity and that do not require additional licensing, [...]
Stakeholders send letter to Senate HELP Committee leaders urging consideration of addressing state licensing limitations in clinical trials
Today, 17 organizations sent a letter to Senate HELP Committee leaders, urging them to consider addressing state licensing limitations in clinical trials in the Prepare for and Respond to Existing Viruses, Emerging New Threats, and Pandemics Act (PREVENT Pandemics Act). The discussion draft of the PREVENT Pandemics Act was released by Senate HELP Committee leadership last week. This bipartisan legislation is focused on strengthening the nation’s public health and medical preparedness and response systems in the wake of COVID-19. Section 502 of the PREVENT Pandemics Act is focused on modernizing clinical trials, and would require the FDA to issue [...]
Protecting Patients and Telehealth Access: More Than 230 National Organizations Urge Governors Across the Country to Maintain and Expand Licensure Flexibilities Throughout Federal Public Health Emergency
Letter to Governors Stresses Urgency of Expiring Licensure Waivers and its Impact on Patient Access to Care Washington, DC – November 1, 2021 – Today, more than 230 organizations sent a letter to all 50 state governors urging them to maintain and expand licensure flexibilities enacted at the start of the pandemic for the duration of the federal public health emergency, to better address patient needs during the ongoing pandemic. The letter was convened by the Alliance for Connected Care, ALS Association, and National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), and includes a diverse mix of signers ranging from patient [...]
Alliance Support Letter for Delaware HB 21 & HB 141
The Alliance submitted a letter of support to Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker, Chair of the Delaware House Sunset Committee (Policy Analysis & Government Accountability), for House Bill 21 and House Bill 141. House Bill 21 would adopt the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact. Under this compact, Advance Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) licensed in a Compact member state may practice in another Compact member state, allowing APRNs to have one multistate license with the ability to practice in all Compact states without having to obtain additional licenses. Its companion bill, House Bill 141, would align the Delaware Board of [...]
Alliance Letter of Support for Texas SB 992
The Alliance submitted a letter of support to Senator Kelly Hancock, Chair of the Texas Senate Committee on Business & Commerce, for Senate Bill 992. The bill would allow health professionals located outside of the state of Texas to provide telehealth services to patients residing within the state of Texas so long as they are licensed and authorized to provide the service in the state in which they are licensed. The bill would maintain that the standard of care for such services would be the same as for health professionals providing in-person health care services to a patient, and [...]
Alliance Letter of Support for Illinois HB 580
The Alliance submitted a letter of support to Marcus Evans, Jr., the Chair of the Illinois House Labor and Commerce Committee, for House Bill 580. The bill would amend the Nurse Practice Act to approve the Nurse Licensure Compact, which allows for issuance of multistate licenses that allow nurses to practice in their home state and other compact states. The bill is critical because it allows for mutual recognition of state licenses between states participating in the compact. One of the biggest barriers to telehealth becoming a regular patient and provider choice is the administrative burden caused by variation [...]
Alliance Letter of Support for Illinois HB 366
The Alliance submitted a letter of support to Theresa Mah, the Chair of the Illinois House Health Care Licenses Committee, for House Bill 366. The bill would require the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to issue or deny a license no later than 30 days after completion of the application for practical nurse and registered professional nurse licensure. The Alliance believes that quickly approving licensure applications will help ensure eligible nurses are working, and will ultimately improve access to health care. Read the full letter here and below:
Alliance Written Testimony – New York FY2022 Executive Budget
The Alliance submitted written testimony for the New York State FY2022 Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Health, which took place on February 25, 2021. The Alliance applauds the telehealth-related proposals included in the Governor’s Executive Budget for the State Fiscal Year 2022, and was particularly thrilled to see specific provisions around the creation of an interstate licensure program to authorize out-of-state practitioners licensed in contiguous states or states in the Northeast region to provide telehealth services to patients in New York. “While we support and appreciate efforts by the State to acknowledge the importance of interstate licensure capabilities and [...]
Alliance Letter of Support for Alaska SB 67
The Alliance submitted a letter of support to David Wilson, Chair of the Alaska Senate Health and Social Services Committee, for Senate Bill 67. The bill would allow Registered and Licensed Practical Nurses from 34 states to practice in Alaska as part of a Multistate Nurse Licensure Compact. These registered and practical nurses would not be subject to the burdensome licensing process. The bill would also allow nurses in Alaska to practice in those 34 participating states. Opening up Alaska to licensed nurses will help provide needed access to care across the state. Read the full letter here and [...]
Alliance Written Testimony in Maryland
The Alliance submitted written testimony offering the Medical Excellence Zone as an alternative to Maryland House Bill 732. "We request that the Committee consider an alternative called the Medical Excellence Zone. The Medical Excellence Zone is an area defined by multiple state borders where medical practitioners may practice across state lines. Practitioners may not establish physical practices in states where they are not licensed but as long as they are licensed and in good standing with one state in the Zone, they may practice across state lines." Key provisions and additional details on the MEZ can be viewed here. [...]