Prioritizing Health Care Access

The last half-decade has opened so many people’s eyes to the importance of health care. From basic lessons such as nutrition and daily exercise, to tearing down the barriers and misconceptions surrounding mental health, people are generally more open to learning how to make their lives better and healthier, and address issues that would have merely been “dealt with” in years past. 

However, with more eyes on the health care industry and more people seeking to improve themselves, it was quickly revealed that it was not awareness or desire that stood as the main hurdle. It was access. That is why it remains one of my top priorities to tear down those walls that prevent people from receiving this basic human right. 

On Wednesday, I presented Senate Bill 94 to the Senate Committee on Families, Seniors and Health. This bill aims to clean up current laws surrounding telehealth services, ensuring more Missourians are able to utilize this method of medicine. 

While I am proud of the medical community that virtual check-ups and visits have become normalized, we face a hard truth that not everyone has the internet and an adequate computer or phone that enables those appointments to take place on camera. So audio-only services are often the preferred, or only, option for so many people in rural or elderly communities. Unfortunately, this is used as a reason to deny insurance coverage to these patients because they are not technically being “seen” by the practitioner. 

The language in SB 94 dictates that health care providers cannot be limited in their methods of performing telemedicine. Simply put, if the health care experts, the providers, deem that a phone call allows them to provide quality care to their patient, it is to be considered the same as an on-camera or in-person meeting. 

With problems like geography and adequate infrastructure standing in the way of providing health care to every person in the state, it is ridiculous that we would willingly add more obstacles through turf wars and padding bottom lines for investors. Any option for treatment should be available to any patient. 

This legislation has had bipartisan support for years. I am extremely optimistic that 2025 will be the year we see it reach the governor’s desk and receive his signature. We all want to make Missouri better for generations to come. To me, making sure that every Missourian is as healthy as possible, receiving the best care no matter their location or situation, is a first step that cannot be ignored. 

I will keep you up to date on this bill and my other proposed legislation as session continues. Please reach out if you have any questions or have input on this issue or others that face the Senate this year. 

Contact Me

I always appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at 573-751-2459. You may write me at Patty Lewis, Missouri Senate, State Capitol, Rm 425, Jefferson City, MO 65101, send an email to Patty.Lewis@senate.mo.gov or visit www.senate.mo.gov/Lewis.