July 08, 2022
Legislation to enhance Pennsylvanians’ access to behavioral health services via telehealth is one step away from becoming law.
The state Senate Thursday night passed House Bill 2419, sending the measure to Governor Tom Wolf for his signature. Sponsored by Representative Tina Pickett (R-Bradford), the bill supports access to behavioral health services both by permanently authorizing services to be delivered via telehealth and by modernizing psychiatric supervisory time requirements to extend the reach of providers.
HAP has advocated for the legislation, calling behavioral telehealth a literal lifeline at a time when Pennsylvanians are struggling to access the care they need amid a shortage of behavioral health services and providers.
“Telehealth has increased the reach of existing providers, allowing patients to be seen by high-quality professionals who may not otherwise have been available due to geographic, transportation, or other logistical barriers,” HAP wrote in a March letter to lawmakers.
The measure was one of several priorities for hospitals and the health care community lawmakers approved Thursday night. Also headed to the governor’s desk are:
For more information, contact Heather Tyler, HAP’s vice president, state legislative advocacy.
Tags: Telehealth | State Advocacy | PA House | PA Senate
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