Voter Approval of Broadband Funding Bolsters Telemedicine
By Alisa Pierce

Texas voters said yes to the creation of a $1.5 billion broadband infrastructure fund Nov. 7, voting in favor to expand internet connectivity to roughly 7 million state residents who lack access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet.  

Proposition 8, an amendment to the Texas Constitution that the Texas Medical Association supported as vital to telemedicine and remote patient monitoring services, passed with almost 2 million votes last week following advocacy from TMA and lawmakers like Rep. Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin). 

Previously, the 2023 Texas Legislature passed House Bill 9 by Representative Ashby, which called for a constitutional amendment to supplement federal dollars to upgrade and expand broadband networks across the state. Proposition 8, the answer to Representative Ashby’s call, now has full voter support to provide that funding, critical for Texans to access high-quality, physician-led telehealth care.  

Thomas Kim, MD, a member of TMA’s Committee on Health Information Technology is “thrilled” that the proposition passed and looks forward to seeing how the increased funding will aid vulnerable patients, like those in rural areas, without reliable transportation, or unable to leave their homes. 

“This is a logical next step for our state to increase broadband connection,” he said. “I am celebrating that the proposition passed with an overwhelming majority of voters.” 

The amendment will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. Now that the fund has been approved, Texas has almost $5 billion of collective federal and state dollars to expand internet access, says Michelle Romero, TMA’s associate vice president of public affairs.   

Under HB 9, the broadband fund will be financed through money allocated by the state legislature, gifts, grants, and investment earnings, and then administered by the state comptroller. Money in the fund can be used in conjunction with federal aid or other state allocations for the purposes of the fund.  

That federal aid could include the $3.3 billion the federal government granted to Texas earlier this year – the most significant award of any U.S. state – from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed last November.  

The grant was given to aid Texas in expanding and upgrading broadband networks. It also will prove vital for virtual patient care, especially for those in rural designations – a charge bolstered by TMA’s ongoing advocacy in that area both at the state and federal levels.   

In addition to HB 9 this year, the Texas Legislature passed two pieces of TMA-backed legislation during the 2021 session:     

• House Bill 4 by Rep. Four Price (R-Amarillo), which made permanent pandemic-induced allowances for expanded telehealth payment in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, if the state determines those services are clinically sound and cost-effective; and  
• House Bill 5, also by Representative Ashby, which established the Texas Broadband Development Office, which provides tools and resources to support the expansion of broadband access across the state.  

With additional broadband funding, Dr. Kim hopes to keep the “broadband ball rolling” across Texas. 

“Proposition 8 fundamentally changes our constitution to allow a dedicated pathway with which to use governmental money, whether that's state or federally sponsored money, to provide internet access to Texans,” he said. “But this is just one victory. I hope we continue to look for new ways to serve Texas citizens, and Texas patients.” 

For more information on telemedicine vendor options, evaluation criteria, and more, visit TMA’s telemedicine page.