U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) and U.S. Representative Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) have reintroduced a bill titled Furthering Access to Stroke Telemedicine, or the FAST Act.
The bill would expand access to telestroke by ensuring nationwide Medicare coverage for the service. With telestroke, a patient experiencing a stroke can connect with a specialist through video conferencing. The goal is to provide patients with access to timely diagnosis and treatment, even if they are at a hospital without an available stroke neurologist.
The American Heart Association and the American Academy of Neurology have both announced their support of the FAST Act.