The Pennsylvania senate has approved a telemedicine bill, and it is now awaiting the governor's signature, according to a Herald-Mail Media report.
House Bill 1619 will allow Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. The compact, established in 2013 and spearheaded by the Federation of State Medical Boards, permits "licensed physicians in one state to treat patients in other states via telemedicine," notes the report.
Seventeen states have joined the compact. Lisa Robin, the Federation of State Medical Boards' chief advocacy officer, notes more states will enact legislation allowing telemedicine use across state lines due to a number of reasons, including the impending healthcare worker shortage.