H.R. 2123 would allow medical professionals employed by or working with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use telemedicine to provide health care to veterans in any state, regardless of the state in which the medical professional is licensed. According to VA, that provision would codify the department’s current practice. Within one year of enactment, the bill would require VA to submit a report to the Congress on the effectiveness of telemedicine. CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost less than $500,000 over the 2018-2022 period to prepare the required report; any such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
Enacting H.R. 2123 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 2123 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2028.