Panel approves telemedicine option for diagnostic mammograms after added patient disclosure

House Bill 14-29, carried in the committee by Representative Shepherd, passed after the panel adopted an amendment requiring patient disclosure when diagnostic mammography is performed remotely.

The bill addresses a gap in rural Arkansas where local hospitals sometimes cannot staff an on-site radiologist for diagnostic mammography. Representative Shepherd said the measure would allow diagnostic mammography to be performed “via telemedicine” with a radiologist “immediately available,” and that the Senate amendment before the committee requires patients to sign a waiver acknowledging limitations of remote evaluation.

Supporters from several radiology practices told the committee patients in some rural counties often do not return for diagnostic follow-up because traveling to a tertiary center is impractical. Radiologist John Metters of Radiology Associates said, “This is the only part of radiology that’s not that way,” meaning the remote reading model used for other imaging modalities. Metters described workforce shortages: “We can’t recruit against Georgia and Texas, so we don’t have enough radiologists,” and he cited local data that many patients in places such as El Dorado do not obtain required follow-up.

Opponents, including breast imaging specialists, cautioned that breast ultrasound is hands-on and that remote ultrasound risks missed findings. Dr. Amanda Farrell, medical director of breast imaging at Baptist Health, said she is “against House Bill 14 29,” explaining that breast ultrasound requires the ability to correlate the mammogram with a real-time manual exam: “If the patient has a palpable, you go in, you feel it, make sure you know what you’re looking at, and then ultrasound yourself.” Farrell emphasized that remote diagnostic mammography (reviewing mammogram images remotely) differs from remote diagnostic ultrasound because of the hands-on component.

Committee members questioned trade-offs between access and quality. Senator Payton asked whether remote services would give false reassurance; supporters said the amendment’s required disclosure and the stipulation that results be “immediately available” aim to protect quality and inform patients. Representative Shepherd said the proposal was brought by rural hospitals and that changing rules administratively had been considered but legislators opted to put the requirement into statute for certainty.

After debate and public testimony from multiple radiologists for and against the bill, the committee adopted the amendment and voted to pass the bill. The committee’s recorded statement at the end of the hearing was “Ayes have it,” indicating approval.

Why it matters: The vote changes how follow-up breast imaging may be delivered in counties without sustained on-site radiology coverage. Supporters say it will increase access to necessary diagnostic exams; opponents warn that remote ultrasound can lower diagnostic quality unless safeguards and in-person follow-up pathways are maintained.