Gov. Perry Signs Bill to Establish Pilot Telemedicine Programs

Texas governor Rick Perry signed HB 2700, establishing a telemedicine pilot program aimed at enhancing health care services along the Texas border. Perry, who signed the bill in a ceremony at Centro San Vicente Community Health Center, had designated the expanded use of telemedical technology for under-served areas as a legislative priority during his State of the State Address in January.

"Technology such as telemedicine ensures that Texans from El Paso to Brownsville will have better access to quality medical care," Perry said. "This legislation is an important step toward strengthening the overall health of the border, which in turn will benefit all of Texas."

Telemedicine is a method of delivering medical services over long distances to remote areas through the use of advanced telecommunications technology. Under HB 2700, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will be responsible for establishing telemedicine and telehealth programs in areas within 150 miles of the Texas-Mexico border. The programs may include important preventative services such as health screenings and pre-natal care. The programs must be in place by January 1, 2003.

Perry emphasized that telemedicine will not replace local health care specialists, but rather provide local physicians with additional health care tools and resources. He cited dermatology, pathology, and radiology as medical areas in which patients can benefit through the use of telemedicine. In these medical fields, for example, images and test data can be uploaded at a remote site and then analyzed by a specialist in another city.

During his State of the State Address to the Texas legislature in January, Perry noted technology like telemedicine could be instrumental in successfully combating health conditions, like diabetes and heart disease.

Rep. Norma Chavez (D-El Paso) and Sen. Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock) co-sponsored HB 2700 in the recently completed 77th legislative session. With the governor's signature, the legislation will take immediate effect.