Alaska House Majority

  • HOME
  • PRESS
    • Rep. Claman
    • Rep. Edgmon
    • Rep. Drummond
    • Rep. Foster
    • Rep. Johnston
    • Rep. Josephson
    • Rep. Lincoln
    • Rep. Lebon
    • Rep. Kopp
    • Rep. Knopp
    • Rep. Ortiz
    • Rep. Spohnholz
    • Rep. Stutes
    • Rep. Story
    • Rep. Tarr
    • Rep. Thompson
    • Rep. Tuck
    • Rep. Wool
    • Rep. Zulkosky
  • NEWSLETTERS
    • Rep. Claman’s Alaska Matters
    • Speaker Edgmon’s Newsletter
    • The Drummond Dispatch
    • Rep. Josephson’s Newsletter
    • Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins’ Newsletter
    • Rep. Stutes’ Newsletter
    • Rep. Lincoln’s Dist. 40 Newsletter
    • Rep. Wool’s Newsletter
    • Rep. Tarr’s Times
    • Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky
    • Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection
    • Rep. Ortiz’s Newsletter
    • Rep. Spohnholz’s The Spohnholz Standard
  • MEMBERS
    • Rep. Matt Claman
    • Rep. Bryce Edgmon
    • Rep. Neal Foster
    • Rep. Zack Fields
    • Rep. Grier Hopkins
    • Rep. Sara Hannan
    • Rep. Jennifer Johnston
    • Rep. Andy Josephson
    • Rep. Gary Knopp
    • Rep. Chuck Kopp
    • Rep. Jonathan Kreiss Tomkins
    • Rep. Bart LeBon
    • Rep. John Lincoln
    • Rep. Harriet Drummond
    • Rep. Dan Ortiz
    • Rep. Ivy Spohnholz
    • Rep. Louise Stutes
    • Rep. Andi Story
    • Rep. Geran Tarr
    • Rep. Steve Thompson
    • Rep. Chris Tuck
    • Rep. Adam Wool
    • Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky

Bill requiring coverage of telehealth services signed into law

  • Press Rep. Ivy Spohnholz


Expanded access to telehealth an important tool as Alaska prepares for COVID-19

JUNEAU – Today, a bill that requires state regulated private health insurers to cover telehealth services was signed into law by the governor.

Rep. Ivy Spohnholz (D-Anchorage) sponsored House Bill 29, which passed the Legislature with overwhelming support.

Access to telehealth is an important tool for healthcare workers to respond effectively to the new coronavirus, COVID-19, as it allows Alaskans to access initial screenings and routine healthcare without a risk of being exposed to the disease which was recently declared a global pandemic.

“Expanded access to telehealth makes us more prepared to deal with COVID-19,” Representative Spohnholz said. “House Bill 29’s rapid progression through the legislative process proves that Democrats and Republicans – in the House, Senate, and governor’s administration, can and will work together to pass the kind of reforms we need in the coming months.”

While Alaska is already at the forefront of providing telehealth services in urban, rural, aging, and underserved communities across our state, these successes are largely limited to people insured through Medicaid and the Tribal health system.

HB29 brings the benefits of telehealth to people covered by private plans and increases Alaskans’ access to better, faster healthcare. The new law takes effect immediately. 

###

CONTACT
Kasey Casort
Office of Rep. Ivy Spohnholz
(907) 465-2794
Kasey.Casort@akleg.gov

Find Us on Facebook

Rep. Bryce Edgmon

Speaker of the House

Toll-Free +1 800 898-4451
Session Contact
State Capitol Room 208
Juneau AK, 99801 
Phone: 907-465-4451
Fax: 907-465-3445
Interim Contact
1500 W. Benson Blvd.
Anchorage AK, 99501-2133 
Phone: 907-269-0275
Fax: 907-269-0274

Find Us on Facebook

Phone

Phone: 907-465-4451
Fax: 907-465-3445

Address

State Capitol Room 208
Juneau AK, 99801

Copyright Alaska House Majority 2020