Pictured is Cynthia Esser, left, and Nicole Nestor, a registered nurse.

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow more people to get health care closer to their homes.

State Bill 780, also known as The Telemedicine Act, was introduced and passed by the state Senate's banking and insurance committee this week and has moved to the Senate floor.

Telemedicine is the practice of providing care for a patient through a phone conversation, video-chat or other technology.

The Telemedicine Act was introduced by State Sen. Elder Vogel, R-47th, and is co-sponsored by Sen. Don White, R-41st.

It is designed to promote telemedicine and remove barriers from care for people who live in remote areas.

Under the proposal, health care practitioners would be able to do diagnoses, prevention, treatment, cure or relief of any health condition, injury, disease or illness.

“I want to try to improve access to care for more of our residents in rural Pennsylvania. Also, I want to try and reduce costs for better management of chronic diseases and shorter hospital stays and less emergency room visits,” Vogel said about the bill.