Assemblywoman Addie
J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced that legislation she authored requiring health
insurers to pay for telehealth services was signed into law last week (Ch. 550
of 2014). This was priority legislation of the Rural Resources Commission which
she co-chairs with Senator Cathy Young, and it will result in expanding the
availability of these services.
“Here in the North Country, access to primary care physicians and particularly
specialists is seriously limited,” said Assemblywoman Russell. “The
availability of telehealth services will help ensure our families get the
high-quality care they deserve, while reducing costs for essential medical
services, travel costs, and the demands of travel.”
Telehealth
is a rapidly expanding field that uses technology to allow patients easy access
to doctors and health care professionals they wouldn’t normally be able to
access due to distance. Assemblywoman Russell’s legislation requires insurers
to cover the cost of these services for policyholders, opening new
opportunities to bring much-needed health care to rural and underserved
communities.
“Long
distances, unpredictable weather and after-hours emergencies should never stand
in the way of necessary treatment,” said Assemblywoman Russell. “This
legislation helps ensure that North Country families will have access to
quality health care and medical advice at any time, from convenient locations.”
HANYS
President Dennis Whalen said, “Through telehealth services, patients across the
state will be able access the care they need in an easier, cost effective way,
by using modern technology. This HANYS-supported legislation will enable
patients in rural and underserved communities to receive essential care.
Connecting providers to patients will improve the health of New Yorkers
and support the tremendous transformation underway in healthcare delivery.
HANYS extends its thanks to Assemblywoman Addie Russell and Senator Cathy
Young for their leadership on this issue, and all the sponsors and supporters
of this legislation."
The bill reflects
recommendations by the North Country Health Systems Redesign Commission, of
which Assemblywoman Russell has been a member since its formation in late 2013.
The commission was tasked with ensuring that all communities in the North
Country have access to an effective and integrated health care system.
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