Wednesday, May 18 2011 3:46PM
Telehealth services for Alaskan veterans could become more prevalent if reintroduced legislation is approved by the Senate.
Lawmakers have reintroduced The Veterans Telehealth Act of 2011, reports say, which would provide veterans living in Alaska rural community grants, which would eliminate co-payments for telehealth and telemedicine check-ups.
"For those living in rural Alaska, providing in-home care or care in a local clinic makes healthcare more affordable and relieves the stress of having to travel to a major city," U.S. Senator Mark Begich, who helped reintroduce the act, told the Seward Phoenix. "This legislation is a simple solution that saves money and actually improves the quality of services delivered by the government."
Begich added he is optimistic about the proposed legislation's chances for approval this year.
According to the newspaper, the The Veterans Health Administration Telemedicine initiative helps about 42,000 veterans with in-home care. More than 200 of those veterans reside in Alaska, most of whom have co-payments of up to $50 per appointment.
The bill was originally brought to Congress in 2010. However, it was never taken up by the full Senate.