The Equal Access to Care Act 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.
March 23, 2021
The Honorable Ted Cruz
Senator from Texas
127A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Ted Budd
North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District
103 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Senator Cruz and Representative Budd,
On behalf of the 2.3 million members of AMAC – Association of Mature American Citizens, I write to offer our support for S. 155 and H.R. 688, 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.
The Equal Access to Care Act 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. This legislation 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 Representative Budd, 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 the Equal Access to Care Act.
Sincerely,
Bob Carlstrom
President, AMAC Action
I totally agree with Mike. I am a retired senior citizen with health problems. During this lock-down, instead of seeing my doctor for a regular check-up, I had a phone conference. My doctor was not able to check my blood sugar level, listen to my heart and lungs or take my vitals. In my opinion, this was a waste of time and my and the insurance company’s money. If I have problems, I want a hands-on check-up with the doctor, not a video conversation.
I don’t think the intent is for telemedicine to replace a personal doctor’s visit but it is a good way to get quick help if needed. It is nice to be able to talk to your own doctor face to face via skype if necessary. I used this option once and was very satisfied with the outcome. You own doctor knows your medical history and can more than likely make much quicker and better informed decisions. I am in agreement that it should not replace and actual office visits. It’s just another option.
Telemedicine is a poor way to deliver healthcare. The physician cannot get a patiets BP, listen to their heart , lungs, or even take a blood sugar is necessary. I am not for any type of healhcare delivery system that involves talking to physician about my healthcare over a computer. Healthcare professionals need the hands on approach to delivery efficient healthcare services. I do not car of this is done in other countries. Move there if you want a impersonal healthcare delivery service. This is not what a physician went to school for nor were they trained to get everything necessary to give quality healthcare service via computer.
Telemedicine is a poor way to deliver healthcare. The physician cannot get a patiets BP, listen to their heart , lungs, or even take a blood sugar is necessary. I am not for any type of healhcare delivery system that involves talking to physician about my healthcare over a computer. Healthcare professionals need the hands on approach to delivery efficient healthcare services. I do not car of this is done in other countries. Move there if you want a impersonal healthcare delivery service. This is not what a physician went to school for nor were they trained to get everything necessary to give quality healthcare service via computer.