WASHINGTON, DC (May 11, 2018): Health IT Now - a broad-based coalition of patient groups, provider organizations, employers, and payers supporting health information technology to improve patient outcomes - responded today to a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) final rule easing veterans' access to care via telehealth.

The "Authority of Health Care Providers to Practice Telehealth" final regulation allows VA providers to offer telehealth services from anywhere in the country to veterans nationwide, waiving state provider licensing requirements that limit access to care. The regulation accomplishes the objectives of the bicameral, bipartisan VETS Act, legislation championed by Health IT Now and sponsored by Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) in the Senate, and by Representatives Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Julia Brownley (D-CA) in the House. The VETS Act passed both the House and Senate with unanimous support, though with technical differences between the two bills.

Health IT Now Executive Director Joel White released the following statement:

"Health IT Now has been a tireless advocate of removing geographic barriers to the full utilization of technology to deliver health care," said HITN Executive Director Joel White. "This final rule is a victory for our nation's heroes - particularly those in rural areas - who deserve access to prompt medical care when and where they need it. We will also continue advocating for final passage of the VETS Act as we believe it is crucial to ensuring this regulation can never be revoked.”