WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) has joined a broad, bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in reintroducing the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act, a bill aimed at expanding permanent access to telehealth services for Medicare recipients.
Co-led by Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the legislation has garnered support from 66 senators in total, reflecting widespread interest in modernizing the healthcare delivery system across party lines.
The CONNECT for Health Act seeks to codify current Medicare telehealth flexibilities into law, which are currently set to expire on September 30, unless Congress takes action to extend them. The bill also aims to improve health outcomes and make healthcare more accessible by eliminating regulatory barriers to telehealth services.
“Telehealth has become an indispensable resource for countless Alabama communities, and I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation that expands access to telehealth services,” said Senator Britt. “The CONNECT for Health Act cuts red tape for patients and supports the ability of our healthcare workers and medical providers to reach and treat more hardworking families.”
Senator Schatz, one of the bill’s original sponsors, emphasized that while telehealth use has grown significantly in recent years, federal laws have not kept pace with the evolving needs of patients and providers.
“Telehealth is helping people get the care they need, and it’s here to stay,” said Schatz. “Our comprehensive bill makes it easier for more people to see their doctors no matter where they live.”
The push to expand telehealth services has gained momentum since the COVID-19 pandemic, during which three provisions of the CONNECT for Health Act were signed into law. These changes contributed to a sharp increase in the use of remote healthcare as patients were advised to avoid in-person visits. Today, more than half of Americans have participated in a telehealth appointment, according to national data.
Senator Wicker added, “It is time to make telehealth coverage permanent for Medicare recipients so that more Americans, especially those in rural Mississippi, have access to health care.”
In Alabama, telehealth initiatives have been particularly critical in rural communities. Of the state’s 55 rural counties, which are home to over 43% of the population, 13% lack access to behavioral health providers. Alabama has consistently ranked among the lowest in the country for access to mental health care. The CONNECT for Health Act would remove location-based restrictions and allow greater use of telemental health services, potentially improving access for underserved populations.
Senator Britt, who also supported the legislation in the 118th Congress, has voiced continued commitment to policies aimed at improving healthcare access for Alabamians, regardless of location or income.
If passed, the CONNECT for Health Act would mark a significant step in permanently integrating telehealth into the nation’s healthcare system, ensuring continued availability of virtual care for millions of Americans.
