Ted Cruz Proposes to Expand Telehealth, Coronavirus Testing

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) proposed two pieces of legislation on Wednesday that would increase Americans’ access to telehealth and testing during the coronavirus outbreak.

Cruz said in a statement on Wednesday:

As we all work to defeat the coronavirus and help Americans safely return to work, these two pieces of legislation will remove bureaucratic barriers that have stood in the way of effective telemedicine and making testing more widely available. These important and necessary steps will help more people safely access the treatment they need – regardless of where they live or where their doctor is licensed – and help states more effectively reduce the spread of this virus.

Cruz introduced the Equal Access to Care Act, which would allow licensed healthcare providers to use telemedicine to treat patients over the phone or online, regardless of where the state is licensed or where the patient is based. The legislation would increase Americans’ access to telemedicine and allow more Americans to access treatment at their home.

Cruz’s legislation follows as the Donald Trump administration approved a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) waiver that temporarily pays clinicians to provide telehealth services for beneficiaries. Medicaid recipients could receive access to the plan if a state government would approve the reform.

“Over 100 million people have access to virtual care because of what the White House and the Trump administration have put out. Doctors can get paid for virtual care for Medicare,” Clint Phillips, the CEO of telehealth company Medici, told Breitbart News Saturday recently.

Cruz’s legislation would build upon the CMS waiver by allowing states to treat patients across state lines.

The Texas conservative also introduced the Right to Test Act, which would empower states with authority to approve and distribute diagnostic tests when the state declares a public health emergency.

The Right to Try Act would help address testing delays and allow states to address health crises.

Sean Moran is a congressional reporter for Breitbart News. Follow him on Twitter @SeanMoran3.