HEALTHCARE
SCREEN TIME
Arizona expands virtual healthcare offerings beyond pandemic
By VICTORIA HARKER
H
ealthcare is a thriving sector in the West Valley, and by all accounts, the region’s industry boom has only just begun. Arizonans took full advantage of telemedicine visits that were allowed temporarily during the pandemic. Now, Governor Doug Ducey has signed a bill that extends them permanently. The legislation, House Bill 2454, also ensures that providers continue to be reimbursed for telemedicine visits as they would for an in-person visit.
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That was vital for the healthcare industry, which invested heavily in research and development to rapidly transition to virtual services during the pandemic, says Todd LaPorte, chairman of the Health System Alliance of Arizona, the voice of the majority of hospitals and healthcare employees in the state. “This really made a statement to the provider community to keep moving in the direction of this kind of advanced technology — ‘We’ve got your back. We’re going to make sure your investment is reimbursed,’” says
LaPorte, who is also president and CEO of HonorHealth, a large hospital and healthcare system that spans the Phoenix region. Now, the legislation will pave the way to continue to make healthcare more accessible and convenient for all citizens, says LaPorte, who spoke to Chamber Business News about how the pandemic and technology are changing healthcare for the better. Most importantly, the law opens up the opportunity to expand access for all patients, particularly in rural and remote regions, he says.
