Senator Thune touts support for telehealth, urges solution-oriented advocacy 

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., April 16 updated AHA members on progress to extend telehealth waivers, offering hope that a solution will arise in end-of-year legislation that Congress will attempt to pass.

“I think, if nothing else, what the pandemic showed us was what an important role telehealth can play in providing access and particularly to rural populations, which we have plenty of in South Dakota,” Thune said, noting that there is bipartisan interest in getting telehealth extensions across the finish line.

Thune also expressed his support for the 340B drug pricing program.

Noting how providers are valued voices in the health care sector, Thune encouraged hospital leaders to not just raise concerns, but develop solutions that they can then suggest to lawmakers and their staffs.