Panel split over how to allow out‑of‑state counselors to provide short continuity of care House Bill 1483 would permit limited continuity‑of‑care telehealth services from out‑of‑state licensed counselors for patients newly residing in Maryland; sponsor favored a limited‑licensure exception while boards urged temporary licensure to preserve oversight and enforcement.

House Bill 1483 could revolutionize mental health care in Maryland by allowing out-of-state counselors to provide essential telehealth sessions during patients' transitions.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #CrisisIntervention #MarylandMentalHealth #TelehealthAccess #ContinuityOfCare

Committee advances telehealth payment-parity bill, adopts amendment pushing effective date to 2027 The House Health and Social Services Committee advanced Senate Bill 83, adopting an amendment to move its effective date to Jan. 1, 2027. Supporters said payment parity is essential for rural Alaskans’ access to behavioral and cancer care delivered via telehealth.

Alaska's Senate Bill 83 just took a crucial step towards ensuring telehealth payment parity, vital for rural patients relying on remote access to essential healthcare services.

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#AK #RuralCare #BehavioralHealth #CitizenPortal #TelehealthAccess #AlaskaHealthcare

Bill to join multistate social work licensure compact advances amid fiscal questions House Bill 110 would have Alaska join the multistate Social Work Licensing Compact to increase licensure portability, expand access to social workers and support telehealth; committee members pressed agencies on whether compact fees or investigations could shift costs and agencies said they would follow up with specifics.

Alaska is on the brink of expanding social work access with House Bill 110, aiming to join a multistate licensing compact to meet the growing demand for services!

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#AK #CitizenPortal #AlaskaSocialWorkers #RuralCommunitySupport #TelehealthAccess #WorkforceMobility

Lawmakers hear invited testimony for HB352 to join health licensing compacts including PSYPACT HB352 would authorize Alaska to join multi-state licensing compacts (including the psychology compact PSYPACT) to allow temporary in-person practice and telepractice via an e-passport credential. Testimony from physicians, psychologists, EMS and PSYPACT officials emphasized reduced paperwork and expanded access; members pressed for data on workforce impact and protections for non-APA graduates.

Alaska is on the brink of revolutionizing healthcare access by potentially joining multi-state licensing compacts, which could drastically reduce wait times and expand specialist availability across the state.

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#AK #CitizenPortal #LicensingReform #TelehealthAccess

House approves a slate of bills on telehealth, local districts, infrastructure and more On 03/06/2026 the Missouri House approved multiple committee substitutes and perfected a wide range of bills including measures on telehealth licensure, entertainment districts, assessment caps, refinements to school-employee training, and consumer protections; several contentious items and amendments were recorded by roll call.

The Missouri House made waves by passing critical bills on telehealth, local governance, and infrastructure, setting the stage for significant policy changes.

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#MO #MissouriPublicPolicy #CitizenPortal #ConsumerProtection #InfrastructureDevelopment #TelehealthAccess

Medical Board opposes telehealth expansion as drafted, signals work on AI and discipline bills The Medical Board of California voted to oppose SB 1002 as written over concerns about losing jurisdiction of out‑of‑state physicians, approved staff'recommended work on SB 903 (AI in therapy) and agreed to support SB 849 only if amended to address legal and scope risks.

The Medical Board of California is taking a stand against a controversial telehealth bill that could jeopardize patient safety and consumer protections.

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#CA #AIEthics #CitizenPortal #TelehealthAccess #PatientProtection

Panel Considers SB295 to Expand Shield Protections for Telehealth Reproductive and Gender‑Affirming Care Supporters urged lawmakers to broaden Connecticut's shield law to protect providers who offer reproductive and gender‑affirming care via telehealth to out‑of‑state patients; opponents raised constitutional and interstate‑comity concerns.

Connecticut lawmakers are considering a groundbreaking bill that could expand telehealth protections for reproductive care, igniting a heated debate over patient access and state rights.

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#CT #HealthcareEquity #CitizenPortal #TelehealthAccess

Kettering schools expand wellness programming and community supports; district cites thousands of telehealth sessions District MTSS coordinator Carrie Hennessy and youth and family resource coordinator Laura Tran reported expanded staff and student wellness work, telehealth partnerships (Cartwheel) with 3,222 sessions cited, and community partnerships that include T-Mobile hotspots and food and clothing assistance; Tran said she completed 236 family intakes from August to January.

Kettering schools are revolutionizing wellness support with new programs, thousands of telehealth sessions, and vital community partnerships to help students thrive!

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#OH #StudentWellbeing #CitizenPortal #CommunitySupport #TelehealthAccess

#NASW Policy Update: Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities extended through December 31, 2027. www.socialworkers.org/Advocacy/Pol...
#NASW #SocialWorkAdvocacy #Medicare #Telehealth #HealthPolicy #SocialWorkPolicy #HealthcareAccess #MedicareFlexibilities #TelehealthAccess #SocialWorkers #PolicyUpdate

Committee advances bill expanding standards for fitting and dispensing prescription hearing aids The committee reported out Substitute Senate Bill 6,226 after adopting amendments to clarify patient safety, professional autonomy and telehealth access for hearing and speech professionals. Some members expressed concern about out‑of‑state providers and consumer protections based on past telehealth controversies.

A new bill in Washington is set to transform hearing aid standards by enhancing patient safety and expanding access through telehealth, but concerns about out-of-state providers linger.

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#WA #PatientSafety #CitizenPortal #ProfessionalAutonomy #TelehealthAccess

Committee Hears Proponents and Safety Concerns on Bill Protecting Telehealth for Audiologists Substitute Senate Bill 6,226 would bar the Board of Hearing and Speech from adopting rules that prevent clinicians from choosing telehealth; proponents (clinicians, industry groups, ADA) urged passage to preserve access, while the Washington Hearing Society and a Board member urged clearer patient-safety language or a brief delay for stakeholder review.

A new bill aims to empower audiologists and speech-language pathologists to use their judgment in choosing telehealth or in-person care, but safety concerns are sparking a heated debate.

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#WA #PatientSafety #CitizenPortal #RuralHealthcare #TelehealthAccess

Hemophilia of Georgia tells lawmakers telehealth, 340B pharmacy and gene therapy are key to keeping patients in care Hemophilia of Georgia told a House committee that roughly 2,000 diagnosed patients in the state rely on a nonprofit 340B pharmacy and outreach programs to cover treatment costs — which the group estimates at $300,000–$500,000 per patient in a ‘good year’ — and urged permanent telehealth flexibilities and protections for the 340B program.

Hemophilia of Georgia advocates for vital telehealth and pharmacy support, revealing that treatment costs can soar to over $1 million, impacting thousands of patients across the state.

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#GA #HealthcareSupport #CitizenPortal #PatientAssistance #TelehealthAccess #GeorgiaHemophilia

Senate committee moves amended PSYPACT compact after questions on oversight and complaints An amended House Judiciary substitute for HB33 (PSYPACT), the psychology interstate compact, was amended and received a due-pass recommendation after debate about complaint handling, standards, and compact-manager approval for amendments; sponsors said reporting and data provisions are part of compact membership.

New Mexico is taking a bold step to expand access to mental health care with an amended PSYPACT that promises to enhance telehealth options across state lines!

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#NM #BehavioralHealth #CitizenPortal #NewMexicoPsychology #TelehealthAccess #WorkforceDevelopment

Committee advances substitute limiting facility fees for certain preventive and telehealth services The committee adopted a substitute for HB 306 that would prohibit hospitals from charging facility fees for a narrow list of preventive services (including vaccinations, some telehealth visits, and care provided in vehicles) and require reporting to quantify facility‑fee use; the committee adopted the substitute and advanced the measure.

A new committee substitute in New Mexico could reshape healthcare costs by limiting facility fees for preventive services, sparking debate between hospitals and insurers.

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#NM #FacilityFeeReform #CitizenPortal #NewMexicoHealthcare #TelehealthAccess #PatientProtection

Sen. Klayman introduces bill to require telehealth pay parity for private insurers; physician urges passage Senate Bill 83 would require private insurers to reimburse telehealth at the same rate as in-person services; sponsor and a rheumatologist testified that parity would preserve access in rural Alaska and prevent avoidable emergency transfers.

Senator Klayman is pushing for a groundbreaking bill that aims to ensure telehealth services are reimbursed equally to in-person care, a crucial step for expanding access in rural Alaska!

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#AK #RuralCare #CitizenPortal #HealthPolicy #TelehealthAccess #AlaskaHealthcare

Physician assistant compact draws mixed testimony over portability and scope concerns Representative Ben Keithley presented a PA compact (House Bill 3129) to allow reciprocal practice among compact states; supporters said it increases access and aids rural health funding, while the Missouri State Medical Association warned the compact could create 'scope‑adjacent' conflicts and allow commission rules to supersede state law.

A new bill in Missouri aims to enhance healthcare access for physician assistants, but it faces fierce debate over potential conflicts and regulatory concerns.

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#MO #CitizenPortal #MissouriPhysicianAssistants #RuralHealth #TelehealthAccess #WorkforceParticipation

Senate committee hears wide public comment on medication abortion access for college students SB 5,826 would require student health centers at public institutions to offer medication abortion access by the 2027–28 academic year through public programs, agreements with safety‑net providers, or telehealth; testimony was sharply divided and included personal testimonies, implementation cost data from advocates, and safety and moral objections from opponents.

A new Senate bill could revolutionize access to medication abortion for college students by 2027, but the debate is heating up with strong voices on both sides.

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#WA #StudentSupportServices #CitizenPortal #ReproductiveHealth #TelehealthAccess

Committee hears dietitian compact bill that would allow six‑month temporary licensure Rep. Tara Peters said HB1961 would let newly graduated dietitians work under supervision for up to six months while taking the national exam and would authorize Missouri to join an interstate dietitian licensure compact to improve telehealth and rural access; supporters from hospitals and professional groups backed the bill, while an opponent raised constitutional concerns about interstate compacts.

A new bill aims to revolutionize dietetics in Missouri by creating temporary licenses for recent graduates and enabling them to practice across state lines, but not everyone is on board.

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#MO #WorkforceDevelopment #RuralHealthcare #CitizenPortal #TelehealthAccess

Vermont committee hears support, privacy and AI concerns as bill would allow recording of telehealth therapy sessions Witnesses from designated mental-health agencies told the House Health Care Committee that allowing audio and video recording of telehealth therapy sessions would aid clinician training, fidelity to evidence-based models and workforce development; legislators and the health care advocate raised data-use, AI and utilization concerns and asked for statutory and oversight clarifications.

Vermont lawmakers are weighing a bill that could revolutionize telehealth by allowing recordings of therapy sessions, but will it protect patient privacy while enhancing clinician training?

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#VT #VermontMentalHealth #PatientPrivacy #AIEthics #CitizenPortal #TelehealthAccess

Appropriations committee works draft to create rural health perpetuity fund, pares back out‑of‑state telehealth language The committee reviewed 26LSO400 to create a perpetuity fund for federal rural health transformation awards, set aspirational program targets and reporting requirements, and removed out‑of‑state telehealth practice language pending separate consideration. Members asked LSO and the Department of Health for continued adjustments and scheduled follow‑up.

Wyoming's Joint Appropriations Committee is shaping the future of rural healthcare with a new fund aimed at enhancing critical services and telehealth access.

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#WY #RuralInfrastructure #CitizenPortal #TelehealthAccess #HealthcareInnovation

Board reviews proposed CartwheelCare agreement to use HB 268 mental-health funds Staff told the board the state llocated $19.6 million under House Bill 268 (Ricky and Alyssa's Law) for school mental health; Harris County's allotment is $40,000 and CartwheelCare proposed a $34,000 telehealth program for grades 6–12, leaving $6,000 for district discretionary support for uninsured students; staff asked for legal review before execution.

A groundbreaking agreement is on the table to expand mental health services in schools, potentially transforming support for thousands of students!

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#GA #SchoolBasedCare #MentalHealthServices #CitizenPortal #TelehealthAccess #GeorgiaSchools

Moore promotes HOPE Act, HSAs and telehealth as alternatives to extending ACA enhanced subsidies Responding to constituent questions about insurance choice and affordability, Congressman Blake Moore described the HOPE Act to broaden health savings account options, the Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act to standardize activity guidance through HHS, and telehealth legislation to expand access and lower costs.

Congressman Blake Moore is shaking up healthcare with the HOPE Act to expand health savings accounts and innovative telehealth solutions aimed at lowering costs—are you ready for change?

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#UT #CitizenPortal #TelehealthAccess #HealthCareAffordability #ConsumerChoice

OPPAGA brief: interstate healthcare compacts ease portability but evidence of workforce gains is limited OPPAGA presented a review of interstate healthcare licensure compacts, noting administrative advantages and risks (fees, scope‑of‑practice conflicts) and finding limited evidence compacts alone reduce workforce shortages; Florida has passed legislation to join six compacts, three of which are active.

Interstate healthcare licensure compacts promise easier access for out-of-state practitioners, but are they really the solution to Florida's workforce shortages?

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#FL #CitizenPortal #TelehealthAccess #LicensurePortability #WorkforceDevelopment

💬 Should access to a doctor depend on your ZIP code?
#RuralHealth #TelehealthAccess #HealthPolicyExplained #AHealthierDemocracy #PolicyIsPersonal

EVMS dean tells Commission sleep apnea in pregnancy doubles risk of preeclampsia; panel adds topic to subcommittee Dr. Lewis, dean of Eastern Virginia Medical School, told the Commission on Womens Health that obstructive sleep apnea in pregnancy is associated with higher maternal and fetal risks including roughly double the risk of preeclampsia and increased rates of C-section, pulmonary embolism and in-hospital death. Members voted to add sleep apnea inpregn

Dr. Lewis reveals alarming connections between obstructive sleep apnea during pregnancy and severe health risks for both mothers and babies, urging immediate action for better screening.

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#VA #CitizenPortal #VirginiaWomensHealth #SleepApnea #MaternalMortality #TelehealthAccess

Tennessee corrections officials describe rising inmate health costs as committee approves contract The Fiscal Review Committee heard a detailed briefing from Tennessee Department of Correction officials about inmate medical and mental-health services, rising pharmacy and chronic-care costs, and the department's plans for early diagnosis and telehealth. After questions about cost drivers and whether Tennessee subsidizes other states in purchasing

Tennessee's corrections officials are grappling with skyrocketing health care costs for inmates, raising concerns about the future of inmate medical services as demand surges.

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#TN #CitizenPortal #TelehealthAccess #HealthCareReform #TennesseeCorrections #InmateWellness

Committee backs DHHS rural health plan with clarifications; asks legislative council to draft four bill proposals The joint legislative Rural Health Transformation Committee voted to endorse the Department of Health and Human Services’ preliminary rural health plan with 23 clarifications and asked legislative staff to draft bills on school fitness testing, nutrition continuing education for physicians, joining the physician assistant compact, and expanded pres

The Rural Health Transformation Committee has taken a bold step to enhance healthcare in North Dakota by endorsing a comprehensive plan with 23 crucial clarifications!

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#ND #CitizenPortal #NutritionEducation #TelehealthAccess #NorthDakotaHealth #RuralHealth

Committee hears bipartisan bills to restore and regulate veterinary telehealth in Michigan The House Rules Committee received testimony in support of bills that would allow Michigan-licensed veterinarians to establish a veterinarian‑client‑patient relationship through telehealth, require LARA rulemaking, restrict controlled-substance prescriptions without an in‑person exam and limit certain prescriptions to 14 days with a single refill.

Michigan is set to revolutionize pet care with new bipartisan legislation that will bring veterinary telehealth back, making it easier for owners to access vital services from home.

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#MI #CitizenPortal #HealthcareInnovation #AnimalWelfare #TelehealthAccess

Committee considers bills to allow veterinary telehealth; supporters say it expands access The committee heard testimony on HB 4221 (a companion to HB 4220) to allow veterinary telehealth in Michigan and require LARA to promulgate implementation rules. Supporters from Michigan Humane and the ASPCA said telehealth expands access, with limits on controlled-substance prescriptions and short-duration refills.

Michigan is on the brink of expanding veterinary care access through groundbreaking telehealth bills that could change the way we care for our pets!

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#MI #CitizenPortal #HealthcareInnovation #AnimalWelfare #TelehealthAccess

Committee hears federal budget, HR1 and ACA tax-credit risks to county health system County officials heard a federal budget update describing how HR1 and an impasse in Congress threaten Medicaid funding, telehealth flexibilities and Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, and voted to receive the report.

County health officials warn that proposed federal budget cuts could lead to skyrocketing insurance premiums and jeopardize vital health services.

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#SantaClaraCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #TelehealthAccess #SantaClaraCounty