That would mean that, in the case of a lawsuit, the case would be heard in the patient's state. Therefore, I do not believe it will have any direct impact on the growth of telemedicine. However, the model act does have the unintended consequence of steering the licensure debate in the wrong direction. The licensure issue is economic and requires the debate to recognize it as such. I do not anticipate any solutions be they national licensure, a model act or any other solution requiring state uniformity to be adopted.
States are solid in their position to regulate their own public health and safety policy.
Medical consultation by an out of state physician is already permitted in most cases, although on a limited basis. Telemedicine practitioners on the basis of the ease of which they can cross state lines suggest special licensure considerations must be made. Telemedicine is a tool to practice medicine, not an entity onto itself.