Bill to Expand Telehealth Options for California Cancer Patients Passes Senate Committee

A bill to expand health access for cancer patients by allowing cancer patients in California to access out of state doctors remotely, passed the Senate Business, Professions & Economic Development Committee in a unanimous vote on Monday, giving a strong indication of overall bill passage later this year.

Senate Bill 508, authored by Senator Suzette Valladares (R-Santa Clarita), would expand the life-threatening disease requirement of an eligible patient to include a person who has been diagnosed with any stage of cancer and would provide that cancer patients are not subject to the clinical trial requirement. Specifically, it would allow all cancer patients to consult with out-of-state physicians through telehealth platforms, expanding from the current state law where telehealth visits are restricted to only in-state doctors and health professionals, with exceptions only for those with terminal illness or who are a part of clinical trials.

In an amendment added last week, the bill was slightly altered to expand the definition of an eligible patient from one who has been diagnosed just with cancer to “a patient whose immediately life-threatening disease or condition is in remission and the patient is continuing care with the previously established eligible out-of-state physician and surgeon.”

“This is an important bill that expands access to healthcare for older adults in particular, ensuring they receive the treatment they require, with fewer restrictions,” explained California Senior Legislature Executive Director Janice Bailey last month. “We are so grateful to Senator Valladares for introducing this bill and for her support in expanding healthcare opportunities for thousands of vulnerable Californians.”

Senator Valladares, who wrote the bill because of the need for out-of-state telehealth options for California cancer patients with low-incomes or for those in rural areas, pressed the Committee to pass the bill on Monday. SB 508 wound up having no opposition and easily passed with a unanimous vote, causing the Senator to praise the Committee for passing the bill with a strong bipartisan showing.

“I am thankful that the committee understands the importance of expanding access to specialized care for cancer patients,” said the Senator. “For some patients, the best, most specialized cancer care is out of state and hard to get to, particularly when health condition or age makes traveling difficult. This bill will ensure that patients who start care with an out-of-state provider are able to continue receiving care from that physician.

“Under current law, telehealth visits between physicians and patients are confined within state borders, with exceptions for individuals with terminal diagnoses or those enrolled in clinical trials. If a patient no longer meets the criteria, the patients must end care with that provider. Senate Bill 508 seeks to improve the continuum of care by allowing patients, who at one point met these requirements, to continue to have telehealth visits with their out-of-state provider.”

According to the Senator’s office, SB 508 will now be sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Should it pass there, it will move on to a full Senate vote. As of Monday, there has been no serious opposition against the bill, pointing to a relatively easy, bipartisan path towards overall passage later this year.