AUSTIN, Texas — The coronavirus pandemic changed a lot of things overnight. That was particularly the case for health care and in order to stay safe, that often meant staying out of the doctor's office. With that new reality came a huge rise in telemedicine. Now, it's looking like it's here to stay. 

"We should seize the opportunity this session to permanently expand telemedicine so that every Texan in every region of the state can benefit," Gov. Greg Abbott said during his State of the State address Monday night. 

The issue has bipartisan support. Both Democrats and Republicans have filed multiple bills this session aimed at expanding telehealth. 

Sen. Cesar Blanco (D-El Paso) has two bills that would permanently continue the telemedicine options that Abbott allowed during the pandemic. 

"A key part of telemedicine is ensuring we have pay parity for health care providers who utilize the services, meaning, they would get paid the same as an in-person visit," Sen. Blanco said during an interview on Capital Tonight.

Another bill filed by Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, would allow for tele-dentistry. 

Blanco says for telemedicine to succeed, broadband access has to happen, too. The governor listed both as emergency items this session. 

"As it relates to telemedicine, broadband will be a critical measure in ensuring that our underserved border and rural communities will have the ability to access telemedicine options," Blanco said. "In addition to that, it improves health care access, it will help close the digital divide in our classrooms for our students who are doing remote learning and really, help small businesses access new markets."