Shelby Review

A Michigan state representative’s plan, designed to provide medical access to a greater number of residents, has passed a hurdle with approval by the House Ways & Means Committee. 

Rep. Doug Wozniak (R-Shelby Township) has developed a bipartisan plan that would offer greater access to doctors through telehealth. Under Wozniak’s legislation, the law would allow patient data to be stored in both video and images to be forwarded to health providers. The law, as it stands, requires visits to take place in real time. 

The bill would also provide some financial relief to Medicaid patients by allowing Medicaid to pay for telehealth visits when a patient is at home or at school. Visits are currently only compensated when taking place in specific health facilities. Doctors would receive additional help in developing accurate diagnoses with the allowance of a device that offers patient-generated health data through the bill.

“Now, more than ever, we must make health care more accessible to Michigan residents, regardless of barriers,” Wozniak said on the Michigan House Republicans website. “This change ensures providers have time to thoroughly analyze data and test results and respond to patients at a later time.”

Wozniak’s proposed legislation falls in line with forward thinking throughout the nation in telehealth. 

Doctors, advocacy groups and some lawmakers say restrictions on widespread use of telemedicine should be lifted permanently once the COVID-19 crises eases and are calling on Congress to change laws so they would allow its more unrestricted use.

The removal of restrictions would also improve health care options in rural areas, which have more limited access to medical care through transportation issues or lack of doctors. 

With the onset off the pandemic, particularly with some patients too high risk to leave their homes, telehealth is the answer, Wozniak said.

His plan, House Bills 5412-5416, will be considered on the floor of the House after passing through committee unanimously.