Committee Moves Topper Bill to Increase Pennsylvanian’s Access to Health Care

September 15, 2020

HARRISBURG – To ensure Pennsylvanians have access to quality health care, the House Professional Licensure Committee approved legislation by Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Franklin/Fulton) to fully join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, allowing practitioners to use telemedicine to treat patients in all member states.

“The current challenges from COVID-19 highlight the importance of telemedicine and has shown it works well,” Topper said. “My House Bill 2584 opens the door for Pennsylvanians to receive treatment from doctors, particularly those in specialty fields, based in other states.”

House Bill 2584 updates the background check aspect of Act 112 of 2016, Topper’s original telemedicine law, which allowed the Commonwealth to join the compact. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania has not be able to fully join the compact due to concerns about sharing criminal background check information raised by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Topper’s bill fixes the issue, allowing Pennsylvania to fully join the compact, which currently has 25 member states.

“The intent of the original bill was to provide Pennsylvanians, especially those in underserved areas, such as rural areas, with the access to quality health care,” Topper said. “My legislation propels the initiative forward by connecting residents suffering from a serious illness with specialists in the field.”

The bill now goes to the full House for consideration.

Representative Jesse Topper
78th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
RepTopper.com / Facebook.com/RepTopper