S. 3993 removes cumbersome bureaucratic processes that will enable more providers to utilize telemedicine to offer more services in more places so Americans, including mature citizens, can receive the care they need without the risk of COVID-19 exposure in a doctor’s office or hospital.
July 2, 2020
The Honorable Ted Cruz
Senator from Texas
127A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Cc: Senator Marsha Blackburn (TN)
Dear Senator Cruz,
On behalf of the 2.18 million members of AMAC – Association of Mature American Citizens, including over 191,000 residing in the state of Texas, I write to offer our support for S. 3993, the Equal Access to Care Act.
Although the coronavirus has presented Americans with many significant challenges, it has also fostered the use of new and exciting technologies, like telemedicine. As an organization representing mature Americans who are over the age of 50, AMAC knows firsthand the difficulties some of our members encounter when accessing health care. We also understand that many other Americans also experience these difficulties in remote areas throughout our country, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
S. 3993 expands access to telemedicine during the coronavirus emergency by allowing licensed health care providers to treat patients over the phone and online wherever the patient is located. This will allow more patients, including those hardest hit by the coronavirus, to access treatment without leaving their homes, and free up local health care providers to treat patients who require in-person medical care.
Telemedicine has proven to be an effective treatment tool and its increase in utilization throughout the pandemic has been significant. S. 3993 removes cumbersome bureaucratic processes that will enable more providers to offer more services in more places so Americans, including mature citizens, can receive the care they need without the risk of COVID-19 exposure in a doctor’s office or hospital.
Thank you, Senators Cruz and Blackburn, for introducing legislation that delivers health care professionals the capacity they need to treat more patients during the coronavirus crisis. AMAC commends your efforts to increase access to health care and is pleased to offer our organization’s full support for S. 3993, the Equal Access to Care Act.
Sincerely,
Bob Carlstrom
President,
AMAC Action
