Rep. Troy E. Nehls Joins Rep. Greg Murphy in Reintroducing Bill to Permanently Expand Access to Telehealth Services for Medically Underserved Communities

Washington, D.C.— Congressman Troy E. Nehls expressed his commitment to extending telehealth services for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) by reintroducing legislation alongside Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., Congressman Michael Burgess, and Congressman Derrick Van Orden. Nehls emphasized the importance of telehealth in meeting the healthcare needs of Americans, particularly those in rural and medically underserved communities. He stated, “Telehealth has revolutionized our nation’s healthcare system to meet the American people’s healthcare needs, particularly in rural and medically underserved communities, such as the 22nd Congressional District of Texas.”

Congressman Murphy, who has practiced medicine in rural eastern North Carolina for 25 years, highlighted the challenges faced by patients who have to travel long distances to access healthcare. He emphasized the significance of telehealth services for rural communities, stating, “Telehealth services are critical for these rural communities who live far from clinics and hospitals. We saw how beneficial this valuable service was for folks during the pandemic and it should continue to be available for all Americans.”

The legislation aims to ensure that Medicare telehealth flexibilities for FQHCs and RCHs do not expire on December 31, 2024, as currently scheduled. The bill seeks to provide continued access to essential healthcare services for millions of American patients nationwide, especially for those in rural and medically underserved areas. The lawmakers are dedicated to advocating for this policy to support the ongoing availability of telehealth services for all Americans.