The Arkansas Legislature has passed bills that would amend telemedicine laws in an attempt to make permanent laws that are currently temporarily in place due to the pandemic.
The Arkansas Senate on Thursday voted 19-11 to pass House Bill 1063. Under the legislation, patients seeking medical care through telehealth would be able to seek care with a physician, without needing a prior face-to-face meeting. Instead an "real-time, interactive audio" meeting, which would include a phone call, would be enough to receive telehealth services.
Currently, the in-person meeting requirement is suspended due to the public health emergency Gov. Asa Hutchinson implemented last year.
Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, presents House Bill 1063 to the Senate.
CREDIT ARKANSAS SENATE