AUSTIN, Texas — A proposal in the Texas House of Representatives would expand telehealth services to out-of-state doctors.
House Bill 997, authored by State Rep. Matt Shaheen (R-Plano), would allow doctors in good standing in their respective state to practice telehealth in Texas. Under current state law, only doctors licensed in Texas can practice telehealth in the state.
“224 of our 254 counties are designated as ‘Health Care Professional Shortage Areas,'” Shaheen said Thursday. “And we have 37 counties that don’t even have a primary care physician.”
Advocates ay flexible services like expanded telehealth are critical to address a physician shortage in Texas. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas is projected to have a shortfall of 10,000 physicians by 2032.
Opponents of the bill argue that allowing out-of-state doctors to see patients virtually will compromise care quality in Texas,
The bill was left pending in committee as of Thursday.