Lubbock Times

House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington has introduced two legislative measures to enhance healthcare access in rural areas of the United States. These initiatives focus on telehealth services and the reopening of rural hospitals.

The first proposal, known as the Telehealth Expansion Act, seeks to allow over 32 million Americans with High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to access telehealth services without meeting their deductibles. "You won't have the next generation of ag and energy producers providing America with food security and energy independence without access to basic health care in rural communities," said Arrington.

Katy Johnson, President of the American Benefits Council, expressed support for this measure, stating that it provides "peace of mind" by allowing quick access to necessary care. Chris Adamec from the Alliance for Connected Care also praised the bill for restoring crucial telehealth access lost in December 2024. Congresswoman Susie Lee highlighted that millions rely on telehealth services, and this bipartisan act aims to make such access permanent.

The second piece of legislation is titled the Second Chances for Rural Hospitals Act. This bill aims to bring back emergency and outpatient care to rural areas by converting closed local hospitals into Rural Emergency Hospitals (REH). The initiative expands eligibility requirements to include hospitals that closed since 2014.

John Henderson, CEO of Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals, supports this act as it could restore local health services in Texas communities that lost their hospitals. Alan Morgan from the National Rural Health Association endorsed the measure, noting its potential to reopen previously shuttered hospitals as REHs.

These legislative efforts underscore a commitment to addressing healthcare challenges faced by rural communities across America.