Pa.’s telemedicine waivers create confusion

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April Hynes of Bucks County was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in August 2020. In what feels like a previous life — before two grueling years of chemotherapy and treatment with a new cancer drug — getting around was mundane. Now, because the medicine used in her treatment plan causes the muscles in her legs to weaken, even something that was once as simple as walking is a challenge.

For the vivacious mother of three, her suddenly sedentary days gave her more time to think about all she would lose if the treatments didn’t work. But, fortunately, they did. April credits her eligibility for a new drug just out of clinical trialsand her faith in Christ for bringing about the “miracle” she says she is experiencing today: being cancer free.

This happy moment almost didn’t happen because of what she calls an “unnecessary” veto by Gov. Tom Wolf of a telemedicine bill. April believes the bureaucratic snafus she ran into trying to get a telemedicine appointment at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic almost cost her the ability to find either a clinical trial or new drug just on the market that could save her life. Surprisingly, lawmakers stillhaven’t passed a telemedicine bill.

Read more at The Philadelphia Inquirer