Medicare providers would be able to treat patients electronically across state lines without having to obtain multiple state medical licenses, according to new legislation proposed in the House this week. Cheers to ANY POLITICIAN WORKING TOWARDS LIMITING BUREAUCRACY.
Okay, so we’ve said red tape is never the way to go with primary care. But we do have to consider rural residents and people who might not have reasonable access to a direct care physician. In certain cases, especially with older patients on Medicare it might make more sense for them to see a physician across a state line, and do so using telemedicine.
For now, this seems like a promising development. Although, again so ironic, that NEW legislation is needed to correct a system bogged down by multiple state licensing. Again, we’re skeptical of a looming federal government controlling our entire healthcare insurance system. But, on the other hand, requiring doctors to get different licenses to see patients in different states gets silly, too. And, as is the case now, can prevent people from getting the quality care they deserve.