Luján, Schatz, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Access to High Quality Health Care in Remote and Rural Areas

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) introduced the Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes (ECHO) Reauthorization Act, which will increase access to high-quality health care in hard-to-reach areas. The bill reauthorizes funding for an innovative medical education program that deploys interactive videoconferencing to link specialist teams with primary care providers in rural areas, helping rural and remote communities access the health care services they otherwise would not be able to receive. “When emergencies happen, care close to home can save lives. Too many New Mexicans in rural communities face barriers to getting specialized care. Project ECHO was first developed at the University of New Mexico, and we’ve seen how this model helps providers deliver better care closer to home,” said Senator Luján. “The Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes (ECHO) Reauthorization Act will build on that success so more communities can benefit.” “Telehealth hasn’t just transformed how doctors care for patients, it has helped health care providers work and learn from with each other,” said Senator Schatz. “Our legislation will help connect more primary care providers in rural areas with specialists from across the country so that more families have access to the critical health care services they need.” “In rural Alaska, you have to improvise. That’s why I’m always interested in innovations that help our communities adapt to the realities on the ground. The ECHO training model has a proven track record of improving health outcomes by helping rural providers access specialized expertise, strengthening the quality of care, increasing provider retention, and reducing the need for patients to travel for specialty care,” said Senator Murkowski. “I’m proud to help the University of Alaska, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, and other healthcare providers continue expanding this innovative model that lowers costs and improves care for Alaskans, wherever they live.” “Project ECHO is an invaluable tool for health outcomes in West Virginia and across the nation, especially in our rural areas. It provides training for primary care doctors, nurses, and other clinicians to deliver excellent specialty care to patients close to home, directly in their communities. As more breakthroughs occur in treating chronic diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s, Project ECHO offers clinicians the knowledge they need to diagnosis and treat their patients effectively. I’m proud to work with my colleagues to bring this reauthorization effort forward,” Senator Capito said. The ECHO program grants will continue to be used for: Equipment to support the use and expansion of the models, including for the secure exchange of electronic health information; Support for health care providers that provide services under these models; Instructional programming and training; and Information collection and evaluation activities to study the impact of such models. ###