Bill Overview
Title: 3T Act of 2022
Description: This bill allows a health care professional to provide, subject to scope of practice and other requirements, health services in any U.S. jurisdiction based on that individual's authorization to practice in any one state or territory. Additionally, the bill provides certain related powers to health care professional regulatory bodies, such as medical boards. Specifically, a regulatory body may investigate and take disciplinary actions against a professional who provides services pursuant to this bill to a patient in that body's jurisdiction. The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to revise applicable privacy regulations to allow providers to use any nonpublic-facing communication product to provide telehealth services after the COVID-19 emergency ends. (Typically, communication products used to provide telehealth services must comply with federal privacy standards for personal health information. However, during the COVID-19 emergency HHS exercised enforcement discretion to allow for the use of noncompliant communication products, including applications such as Apple FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype.)
Sponsors: Rep. Cawthorn, Madison [R-NC-11]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals seeking or providing telehealth services
Estimated Size: 155000000
- The bill targets individuals who may seek health services via telehealth in the United States.
- It aims to expand access by allowing healthcare professionals to practice across state and territorial lines, impacting anyone needing such services.
- The COVID-19 pandemic surged the use of telehealth, and this bill potentially impacts those who have continued using these services post-pandemic.
- By allowing a range of communication products, the bill impacts those who may have privacy concerns but need accessible options for telehealth.
Reasoning
- The Telehealth Treatment and Technology Act of 2022 (3T Act) expands access to healthcare services via telehealth by allowing providers to practice across state lines. This policy primarily targets people relying on or providing healthcare through telehealth, estimated to be about 155 million Americans.
- The act also includes regulatory measures and encourages using nonpublic-facing technology for telehealth, which may affect privacy-conscious users or those with limited access to traditional telehealth platforms.
- A significant portion of Americans, around 40%, used telehealth during the pandemic, and while this number may have decreased post-pandemic, the act might still benefit those who prefer or require these services due to geographical, mobility, or health-related constraints.
- Budget constraints limit the policy's reach and implementation scope, focusing efforts on populations that use or face challenges accessing telehealth services.
- By simulating interviews, we can derive qualitative insights into how different demographics might perceive and be affected by the policy, while recognizing that not everyone in the simulated pool will experience substantial changes in well-being due to the act.
Simulated Interviews
Retired school teacher (Iowa)
Age: 68 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is really helpful for someone like me. Living in a rural area limits my healthcare options. With telehealth, I can consult specialists across state lines without traveling.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Software engineer (California)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm a bit concerned about the privacy issues as the regulations would now allow non-compliant software for telehealth. However, it's good knowing I wouldn't need to travel far for healthcare services for my family.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Telehealth nurse (Texas)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill is a game changer. I'll be able to reach patients in different states, expanding my practice and, hopefully, my income.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Graduate student (Florida)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It sounds helpful, but as a student with access to on-campus medical services, the impact on my life will be minimal.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Small business owner (New York)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- For someone like me who has to juggle business and health, being able to use telehealth services flexibly is a big plus. The privacy issue is a bit concerning, though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired nurse (Arizona)
Age: 75 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rely on telehealth to manage my medications and check-ups. This policy will make it easier for me to find the help I need without worrying about transportation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
School administrator (Ohio)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy really assists with my peace of mind, knowing my parents can consult their regular doctors regardless of state lines.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Freelance writer (Illinois)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy is a positive step, especially for people like me who need specialists not available locally. However, ensuring data privacy is crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retired military officer (Georgia)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Telehealth isn't something I rely on heavily. I prefer in-person visits, but I can see how this might help other retirees who can't get around easily.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
College student (Vermont)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to telehealth across state lines isn't something I'm concerned with right now, but it might be useful in the future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000000 (Low: $800000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 2: $950000000 (Low: $750000000, High: $1150000000)
Year 3: $900000000 (Low: $700000000, High: $1100000000)
Year 5: $800000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $1000000000)
Year 10: $600000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $800000000)
Year 100: $300000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $400000000)
Key Considerations
- The expanded telehealth capabilities could significantly alter the current healthcare delivery model.
- The change in privacy regulations needs to be analyzed for potential impacts on patient data privacy.
- The widespread adoption of various noncompliant communication products poses cybersecurity risks.