Texas House Bill HB4671

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to the establishment of a pilot program to provide telemedicine medical services to certain cancer patients receiving pain management services and supportive palliative care.

Impact

The introduction of this pilot program is expected to enhance access to care for cancer patients, particularly for those who may experience barriers to in-person visits such as transportation issues or physical limitations. By allowing physicians and other healthcare providers to prescribe necessary medication via telemedicine, the bill could streamline treatment processes and improve the quality of care delivered, ultimately benefiting patient outcomes during a critical phase of their healthcare journey.

Summary

House Bill 4671 seeks to establish a pilot program aimed at providing telemedicine medical services specifically for cancer patients who require pain management and supportive palliative care. The bill assigns The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center the responsibility to develop and implement this program. It presents a significant advancement in the integration of telemedicine into specialist care, particularly for those dealing with the complexities of cancer treatment and associated pain management needs.

Contention

Notably, HB 4671 includes provisions that exempt telemedicine prescriptions for pain management and chronic care from existing regulations that could limit the prescribing of certain medications, especially opioids. This aspect of the bill could raise concerns regarding the potential for misuse or abuse of prescription medications. Legislators and stakeholders may debate the balance between facilitating access to necessary care for patients and ensuring that appropriate safeguards are in place to prevent prescription drug misuse.