Hoosier State Today

Roy Blunt, former U.S. Senator from Missouri, said that telehealth has effectively revolutionized access to behavioral health services, particularly benefiting rural communities and veterans. Blunt made this statement during a webinar on March 14.

"The military was probably the first to embrace telehealth very early on," said Blunt, Former Senator. "One of the big costs of health care is missed appointments. Almost nobody misses an appointment if it's one you're doing at home. If you're in a rural area or have transportation concerns, telehealth is a real solution."

A study conducted in a rural Midwestern community indicated that telehealth usage surged from 5% before the COVID-19 pandemic to 42.1% during the pandemic. Although this figure declined to 21.8% post-pandemic, a significant portion of the population continues to utilize telehealth services, especially for primary care visits. This trend suggests an increasing comfort and reliance on telehealth in rural areas.

According to PubMed, research comparing telehealth and in-person visits in an orthopedic sports medicine clinic found no significant difference in overall patient satisfaction between the two modalities. Telehealth appointments were noted for their shorter durations of care, offering enhanced efficiency and convenience for patients.

The WYFI Public Media reported that Indiana has expanded telehealth services to include remote prescription of non-controlled addiction treatment medications and virtual mental health services. This expansion aims to improve access to care for individuals in rural areas by providing confidential diagnosis and treatment via phone and video, thereby addressing issues like anxiety, stress, and depression more effectively.

According to Harvard University, Blunt served in the U.S. Congress for 26 years, holding leadership roles in both the House and Senate—a rare distinction in American history. He is now an Executive Fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center and serves on the boards of Southwest Airlines and Tenet Healthcare.