Open AccessAmending the Ryan Haight Act
Author(s) -
Dillon Vaughn
Publication year - 2020
Language(s) - English
DOI - 10.37419/lr.v7.i2.6
Subject(s) - documentation , telemedicine , government (linguistics) , telehealth , covid-19 , psychology , medical emergency , medical education , internet privacy , public relations , medicine , political science , law , health care , computer science , linguistics , philosophy , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , programming language
The Ryan Haight Act has established excessive restrictions on controlled substance prescribing through telemedicine by first requiring an in-person exam. If the Act is not amended, many individuals in need of medication will go without proper medical care. While other agencies and states have made moves to expand telehealth, the DEA has dragged its feet on making any significant changes. This Comment argues that the federal government should amend the Ryan Haight Act, allowing telemedicine providers to prescribe controlled substances without an in-person exam. This amendment would focus on the standard of care while requiring stringent documentation by physicians who perform telemedicine services. If this change occurs, patients who have barriers to accessing medical treatment will have the opportunity to get the proper care they need.