Loeffler Takes More Action to Protect Georgians’ Lives and Livelihoods

Introduces Legislation to Permanently Extend Telemedicine Provision in CARES Act, Protect Patients’ Credit From Surprise Medical Bills

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) introduced two bills aimed at helping families and patients by improving the health care system.
 
Loeffler, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, introduced the Telemedicine Everywhere Lifting Everyone’s Healthcare Experience and Long Term Health (TELEHEALTH) HSA Act, which would permanently extend a provision of the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery and Economic Stability (CARES) Act that temporarily allows health savings account eligible high-deductible health plans to offer first-dollar coverage of telehealth services. 
 
Loeffler also introduced the Patient Credit Protection Act, which would protect patients’ credit from being impacted if they have an outstanding “surprise” medical bill. Patients who have paid their share of medical care, including copayments, deductibles and coinsurance, should not have their long-term financial health impacted by “unconscionably excessive” medical costs. 
 
“Now that we’ve made progress in our battle against the coronavirus, I am focused on protecting Georgians’ lives and livelihoods in the long run,” Loeffler said. “By permanently extending a provision that makes it easier for patients to access health care through telemedicine, we are ensuring coverage no matter where you live.
 
“I’m also working to protect patients’ credit from being impacted by surprise medical costs. The last thing a patient should be worried about during this pandemic is access to health care and the impact of a surprise medical bill on their credit score.”
 
Loeffler has introduced more than a dozen bills over the last six weeks as part of her USA Restoring & Igniting the Strength of our Economy (USA RISE) Plan. She has introduced multiple pieces of legislation for each pillar of her plan: Made in the USA; Grown in the USA; Hiring in the USA; and Families in the USA.