U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito from West Virginia has joined 60 other senators in reintroducing the CONNECT for Health Act. This bill aims to broaden the accessibility of telehealth services under Medicare, make the telehealth measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic permanent, and enhance healthcare outcomes by facilitating easier access to doctors. These current flexibilities are on track to expire on September 30 unless Congress takes action to extend them.
Senator Capito emphasized the importance of telehealth, stating, “Telehealth is transforming the way Americans access health care, especially in rural communities like those in West Virginia. The flexibilities put in place during the pandemic proved how effective and efficient virtual care can be. This legislation ensures that patients can continue to receive timely, quality care no matter where they live.”
Recent data indicate that nearly a quarter of Americans use telehealth services within a month. The CONNECT for Health Act proposes to eliminate geographic restrictions on telehealth services permanently, expanding originating sites to include patients’ homes. It also aims to allow health centers and rural clinics to offer telehealth, enable a broader range of healthcare professionals to utilize these services, and eliminate the in-person visit mandate for telemental health services. Other key provisions include allowing telehealth restrictions to be waived during public health emergencies and requiring more data publication to improve and support telehealth services.
First introduced in 2016, the CONNECT for Health Act is described as the most comprehensive telehealth legislation in Congress. Since then, several sections of the bill have been implemented either through law or adopted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), removing certain restrictions on telehealth services for mental health, stroke care, and home dialysis.
In the U.S. House of Representatives, companion legislation has been put forward by Rep. Mike Thompson, Doris Matsui, David Schweikert, and Troy Balderson. The CONNECT for Health Act is backed by more than 150 organizations, including the American Medical Association, AARP, and the American Hospital Association.
The bill’s full text is publicly accessible.
