OKC Standard

Senator Markwayne Mullin, along with Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Thom Tillis, has introduced the Ensuring Access to Specialty Care Everywhere (EASE) Act to enhance access to specialty care providers for rural communities. The bipartisan bill aims to create a virtual specialty care provider network that rural and underserved patients can access through telehealth.

Senator Mullin expressed his concerns about the current healthcare challenges faced by rural communities, stating, "As it stands, clinician shortages, an aging population, and barriers such as transportation disproportionately impact rural communities and decrease individuals’ access to specialty care." He believes that leveraging telehealth can address these needs and improve access to quality healthcare for those in need.

Senator Sinema highlighted the significance of the bill for Arizonans, stating, "Our bill ensures Arizonans in rural and underserved parts of our state don’t have to travel hours from their home to receive the care they need, increasing access to quality health care for all Arizonans." She emphasized the potential of the virtual specialty care network to connect patients with specialists across the country, particularly for managing complex conditions like diabetes and chronic heart disease.

Senator Tillis also emphasized the importance of telehealth in improving healthcare access, stating, "Telehealth has become an invaluable tool in increasing access to quality care for all Americans." He noted that the legislation aims to address the challenges faced by individuals in rural and underserved communities in accessing specialty care, ultimately aiming to ensure that everyone receives necessary care regardless of their location.

The bill has received support from organizations like the National Rural Health Association and OCHIN. The EASE Act is a step towards bridging the gap in healthcare access for rural communities and underserved populations, leveraging technology to provide necessary care efficiently and effectively.