Access to telemedicine is not just beneficial but also vital in many parts of the United States, doctors and other healthcare leaders argued this week before the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The defense of telemedicine was part of a two-day listening session held by the agency as part of the public response to proposed rules that would restrict access to controlled substances via telehealth, including those used in long-term care facilities.
Speakers defending telemedicine cited the potential for unnecessary care delays and the shortage of in-person providers in rural areas as arguments against inhibiting telemedicine.
In particular, many participants objected to the DEA’s proposed one-time in-person evaluation requirement for access to certain drugs.
“We believe that a requirement that a patient see a clinician in person is not an effective control against diversion and instead simply limits access to legitimate healthcare,” American Telemedicine Association Senior Vice President Kyle Zebley testified during the hearings.
The DEA indicated last month that it would be open to adjusting the rules, following an incredible 38,000 public comments on the subject. One possibility the DEA suggested was a special registration period for certain telemedicine prescriptions.
In addition to the listening session comments, several members of Congress weighed in as well in favor of increasing telemedicine access, including Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and John Thune (R-SD).
“We support the DEA extending the full set of telehealth flexibilities through November 2023 and are encouraged by the upcoming public listening sessions on the proposed regulations,” six senators wrote in a letter to the agency. “We urge the DEA to consider feedback from healthcare stakeholders and apply the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The complete listening sessions are available to listen to on the DEA’s website.
