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Bill would let Oregon providers continue telemedicine with temporarily out‑of‑state patients
Summary
Representatives said current law prevents established Oregon clinicians from seeing patients who are temporarily out of state; HB 3727 would permit telemedicine visits for established patients who are temporarily located outside Oregon, preserving continuity of care for vacations, college attendance and short travel.
Rep. Ken Helm and Sen. Lisa Reynolds told the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care on March 13 that House Bill 3727 would allow an established patient to receive telemedicine care from their Oregon‑licensed provider while temporarily located out of state.
"During the pandemic our clinics pivoted to virtual visits, and we learned we can do a lot virtually," Sen. Lisa Reynolds said. She described cases in which patients leave the state for college or vacation and lose the ability to see a longtime clinician because of a statutory quirk. Representative Helm said his constituent delayed treatment while on vacation in Hawaii because the patient’s out‑of‑state location prevented a remote consult.
Witnesses including telehealth advocates said the change would preserve continuity of care for medication management and behavioral‑health follow‑ups. Tom Holt of the Health Leadership Council and a telehealth coalition said the bill fixes a known gap for patients traveling across state lines and urged the committee to move it forward.
Sponsors and witnesses said the bill would not change clinical standards or malpractice coverage; existing professional standards and licensing rules would continue to apply. Committee members asked whether nurse‑delivered follow‑up calls or messages would be covered; sponsors said routine nursing contacts are already documented and malpractice coverage remains in place.
No opposition was recorded in the hearing and proponents urged prompt action to remove the barrier for patients who travel temporarily out of state.
