KTVA: Murkowski praises executive order geared at improving rural health care
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski is praising an executive order signed by President Trump to improve rural health and telehealth access.
The order states the COVID-19 public health emergency has increased the use of telemedicine across the country by limiting access to in-person visits. This prompted the administration to help patients get better access to health care providers.
Murkowski calls telehealth crucial technology, especially for Alaska.
"In Alaska, telehealth has been vital for some time, but the coronavirus pandemic has created a new normal and certainly fueled that need," Murkowski said in a press release. "Now, telehealth goes beyond creating greater access — it’s also creating safer access."
The order will make Medicare rules more flexible for rural providers and improve communications infrastructure available to rural Americans.
The goals of the order include reducing maternal mortality and morbidity and improving mental health in rural communities.
By: Jennifer Summers
Source: KTVA
