New Senate Bill Would Expand Telehealth Options For Cancer Patients in California

A bill that would expand health access for cancer patients by allowing cancer patients in California to access out of state doctors remotely was introduced in the Senate on Monday.

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.

Senator Valladares wrote the bill because of many Californian cancer patients needing specialized care or the consultation of doctors out of state, but who are often barred by distance and costs. She also noted that many Californian cancer patients live in rural and underserved areas, with specialized care being far away and/or out of state. As a result, SB 508 would remove those barriers and increase more access to doctors out California.

“Often times, the best, most specialized cancer care is out of state and hard to get to, particularly when health condition or age makes traveling difficult,” said Senator Valladares in a statement on Monday. “This bill will allow cancer patients to connect with physicians remotely, eliminating geographic barriers and making specialized care more accessible when it’s needed most.

“Cancer diagnosis and treatment are rapidly evolving, and specialized care is increasingly vital for patients. Many patients living in rural or underserved areas may not have access to the specialized oncology care they need. This bill will help to provide access to doctors that cancer patients may otherwise never be able to see.”

“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,” added California Senior Legislature Executive Director Janice Bailey. “We are so grateful to Senator Valladares for introducing this bill and for her support in expanding healthcare opportunities for thousands of vulnerable Californians.”

Introduced last month, SB 508 is set to be heard in the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee, as well as the Senate Education Committee, later this year. As of Monday, no major opposition has been noted against the bill, with SB 508 likely to be passed later this year.

“Telehealth, or how it is now with patients and doctors communicating through phones and screens, is still relatively new,” explained telehealth facilitator Kaitlyn Dell to the Globe on Monday. “And some of the laws we have are still tied in with COVID and not wanting people to travel  and see doctors like that. But obviously things have changed and California is now sort of limiting how cancer patients here can see physicians.

“This bill is great. People get the help they need and will not be restricted by only being able to seeing doctors in-state through telehealth means. It gives people more options, especially those with specific types of cancers. And this won’t hurt the healthcare industry in California or anything. Patients get more help.”