Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Today, House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) lead a bipartisan, bicameral coalition in introducing H.R.2533 – the Ensuring Access to Specialty Care Everywhere (EASE) Act, legislation to increase rural access to specialty care providers by authorizing the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to create a virtual specialty care provider network that rural patients can access through telehealth.

Arrington was joined by Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR) in introducing the EASE Act in the House. Companion legislation in the Senate was led by Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), who was joined by Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA).

“We won’t have the next generation of ag and energy producers providing our country with food security and energy independence if we don’t ensure their families have access to quality care,” said House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX). “The lack of specialty care for rural Americans has resulted in worse outcomes and higher costs. I’m proud to introduce the EASE Act, which leverages technology to close the health care gap in rural and underserved communities with greater access to specialty and integrated care.” 

"Rural communities are disproportionately impacted by clinician shortages, an aging population, and transportation hurdles, which can make it tough to access specialty care,” said Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK). “Harnessing the power of telehealth will help address these needs and expand access to essential health care services of which many patients are in desperate need. I am glad to join my colleagues in introducing this bill to ensure access to quality health care regardless of a patients’ zip code.”

“People with chronic conditions depend on specialty care to stay healthy, yet many rural communities do not have sufficient access to these services,” said Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR). “The bipartisan EASE Act is based on a successful pilot program from Oregon that used telehealth to connect rural patients with specialty care providers, reducing wait times and improving coordination between providers. I’m proud to introduce this critical legislation that would expand access to specialty care for millions of Americans.”

“Everyone deserves access to quality, efficient health care. However, people in rural communities often face unacceptable barriers to care, including unsustainably high wait times and impossibly long drives to connect with specialists,” said Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA). “Our bipartisan EASE Act would expand telehealth capabilities so rural communities can access specialty care, allowing for earlier intervention and reducing unnecessary emergency visits.”

Additional Member Quotes:

“Telehealth has proved to be vital in increasing access to care, particularly for rural and underserved communities throughout Illinois,” said Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL).“The Ensuring Access to Specialty Care Everywhere Act reduces the costs of physician visits while allowing patients to seek timely medical care and advice. I am proud to co-lead this legislation to ensure that everyone has opportunities and options to receive high-quality care.”

“Telehealth has become an invaluable tool in increasing access to quality care for all Americans,” said Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC). “However, too many individuals in rural and underserved communities still face serious challenges in accessing specialty care, which results in worse outcomes and higher costs. This legislation leverages technology to create a virtual specialty network to ensure everyone – regardless of location – receives the necessary care when and where they need it.”

“For millions of families, telehealth has opened up access to life saving health care, especially in rural areas in Nevada,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV). “At a time when Nevada is facing a docto shortage, we should be making it easier, not harder, to use this health care tool. That’s exactly what the bipartisan EASE Act does.”

Stakeholder Support:

“The National Rural Health Association applauds Representatives Arrington, Salinas, and LaHood and Senators Mullin and Padilla for the introduction of the EASE Act. A shortage of health care providers in rural areas means that patients can often have long wait times and challenges accessing needed specialty care. The EASE Act is an innovative piece of legislation that would leverage virtual technologies to reduce wait times, overcome geographic barriers, and improve care for rural Americans.” – Alan Morgan, National Rural Health Association

"We need to rethink how we ensure Rural America’s access to specialty care. The EASE Act is an innovative and cost-effective way to provide reliable and integrated access to specialists. OCHIN applauds Reps. Arrington and Salinas for championing bi-partisan solutions that will redesign how high-quality care is delivered.” - Jennifer Stoll, Chief External Affairs Officer at OCHIN

“The EASE Act seeks to remove barriers health care access for families in underserved areas who can face delays of 30 to 70 days just to access basic specialty care. By empowering local clinics with virtual tools and better care coordination, the EASE Act would help communities take control of their health, empower patients, and strengthen local health networks.” - Isabel Soto, Policy Director, The LIBRE Initiative

The EASE Act is also supported by the American Telemedicine Association, Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals, Providence, ATA Action, and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Background:

• This bill authorizes CMMI to enter into an agreement with a provider network comprised of nonprofit entities including federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, critical access hospitals, or rural emergency hospitals, at least half of which are located in rural areas.
• Patients eligible for participation in this program must be located in rural and underserved areas and be enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP.

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