Vern Buchanan U.S. House of Representatives from Florida | Official U.S. House Headshot
Vern Buchanan U.S. House of Representatives from Florida | Official U.S. House Headshot
Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, has introduced two legislative measures aimed at enhancing healthcare access for Americans. The bills focus on expanding telehealth services and improving lung cancer screening processes.
The Permanent Telehealth from Home Act (H.R. 1407) seeks to eliminate geographical restrictions on telehealth services, allowing patients to receive care irrespective of their location or that of their healthcare provider. This bill, co-led by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), builds upon a temporary extension set to expire in March 2025. "Making telehealth services available to patients regardless of their location is a major win for the nearly 200,000 seniors in my district," Buchanan stated.
Rep. Thompson expressed support, highlighting telehealth's benefits: "Telehealth allows patients—especially those with low mobility or who otherwise can’t make it to the doctor’s office—to access the care they need when they need it." The bill is also backed by Reps. Max Miller (R-OH) and several health organizations.
In addition, Buchanan introduced the Lung Cancer Screening and Prevention Act (H.R. 1406), designed to expedite the approval process for new lung cancer screening tests approved by the FDA. Under current regulations, screenings must also be reviewed by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), potentially delaying availability for up to five years.
"The federal government should make it easier for seniors and folks at risk to access crucial life-saving lung cancer screenings," Buchanan remarked. The bill has bipartisan support from Reps. Morgan Griffith, Tim Kennedy, Darin LaHood, Darren Soto, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
Healthcare professionals have voiced strong support for these initiatives. Jhanelle Gray from Moffitt Cancer Center noted that improved early detection could significantly impact survival rates: "Lung cancer claims more lives than any other form of cancer... But we can change this by improving access to early detection."
Buchanan's efforts reflect his leadership roles within Congress and his commitment to advancing healthcare accessibility through legislative action.
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