Telehealth Legislation Signed by Governor

Governor Jim Justice signed House Bill 2024 into law at a formal bill signing ceremony on Friday.  During the ceremony, the Governor acknowledged the chief proponents of the bill, AARP West Virginia (AARP WV) and Americans for Prosperity - West Virginia (AFP-WV) who worked tirelessly for passage of this important legislation. 

Early last year, due to the pandemic, Governor Justice expanded West Virginians' access to telehealth through Executive Order 7-20. This legislation will make permanent the crucial telehealth reform provided by that Executive Order.

This new telehealth law removes barriers that impeded the widespread adoption of telehealth in the past, by allowing healthcare providers licensed in other states to provide telehealth services to residents of West Virginia. It also allows providers to use technology beyond simple videos to deliver healthcare. 

Since early last year, the crucial telehealth reform provided by Executive Order 7-20 in response to the coronavirus pandemic has brought healthcare to patients, rather than having patients travel and put themselves and others at risk for possible exposure to COVID-19. The benefit of telehealth is not limited to pandemic response, though. Telehealth brings healthcare to the patient wherever they are - which expands timely access to vital healthcare services for tens of thousands of rural West Virginians.

AARP West Virginia applauds the Legislature and Governor Justice for making these life savings telehealth services permanent in West Virginia.