Columbus Medical Association Praises Gov. DeWine’s Support of Telehealth
Gov. Mike DeWine at the 2022 State of the State address | Image from The Columbus Dispatch
In his 2022 State of the State address on Wednesday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine again voiced his support for removing restrictions from telehealth services – a statement that was lauded by the Columbus Medical Association and its member physicians.
“In the last two years, we’ve realized that when you need healthcare and behavioral health services, a virtual visit can save time and money,” Gov. DeWine said during the address, “so we’ve eased restrictions on telehealth services to expand access to care.”
House Bill 122 was signed into law in December 2021 and DeWine noted that the law went into effect on Wednesday.
“This is something we are very much in favor of at the Columbus Medical Association,” said Dr. Robert Falcone, the organization’s CEO. “We applaud Governor DeWine and the legislators who worked to make House Bill 122 a reality and improve access to healthcare for all Ohioans.”
According to information released by the Ohio State Medical Association, House Bill 122 includes provisions that would allow patients to continue to continue to receive telehealth care with no requirement for annual in-person visits, and also allows for those who are receiving hospice care, medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, mental health treatment, or care determined as an emergency situation to receive telehealth care without an initial in-person treatment – along with prohibiting health plans from imposing larger cost-sharing expenses than in-person visits.
“I’m glad that Governor DeWine recognizes the value of tele-medicine and that he will support the further development of the technology,” said Dr. William Cotton, a CMA physician who has been at the forefront of the organization’s advocacy sessions with elected officials this spring.
Cotton noted that, while telehealth existed before the Covid-19 pandemic, it was not as prevalent and necessary as it has become today.
“No one was ready for the pandemic, physicians included,” he said. “Many practices worked at warp-speed to be able to provide telehealth services for their patients. Both physicians and patients alike appreciated this kind of visit. Without the ability to use tele-health, a significant number of patients would have gone untreated with bad outcomes.”
The Columbus Medical Association is an organization that represents physicians and other experts who work together to support physicians and advance the community through professional advocacy, education, and services.
Learn more about the CMA and its affiliates at columbusmedicalassociation.org