Washington D.C. – In a recent statement, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) voiced her endorsement of the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2023. The bipartisan legislation, reintroduced by Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and cosponsored by Senator Britt along with 57 additional Senate colleagues, aims to broaden the coverage of telehealth services through Medicare.
The bill, if enacted, would not only expand access to telehealth services but also make the COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities permanent. Its proponents argue that the proposed changes would improve health outcomes and facilitate easier patient-doctor connections.
Alabama Senator Katie Britt emphasized the importance of telehealth in various communities, stating, “Many Alabama communities rely on the incredible resource that is telehealth and have become increasingly accustomed to its ease of access in recent years. I’m proud to support legislation that would ensure Alabamians have timely and accessible healthcare solutions – no matter their zip code.”
The CONNECT for Health Act, initially introduced in 2016, is recognized as one of the most comprehensive pieces of legislation on telehealth in Congress. Its provisions were included in the FY23 government funding bill in December 2022, temporarily extending access to expanded telehealth services until 2025. With these provisions set to expire, there is a growing sense of urgency to establish permanent telehealth policies.
Senator Brian Schatz highlighted the growing importance of telehealth, stating, “While telehealth use has skyrocketed these last few years, our laws have not kept up. Telehealth is helping people in every part of the country get the care they need, and it’s here to stay.”
Three provisions from the CONNECT for Health Act were signed into law in 2020, leading to a significant increase in telehealth utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data indicates that nearly a quarter of Americans accessed telehealth services in the past month, highlighting its essential role in providing access to care.
The updated version of the CONNECT for Health Act includes provisions to permanently remove geographic restrictions on telehealth services, expand originating sites to include homes and other locations, and allow health centers and rural health clinics to provide telehealth services. The legislation also aims to make telehealth services available to more eligible healthcare professionals, eliminate unnecessary in-person visit requirements for telemental health services, and allow waivers of telehealth restrictions during public health emergencies.
The bipartisan support for the CONNECT for Health Act extends beyond the Senate, with companion legislation introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), and Bill Johnson (R-Ohio).
The CONNECT for Health Act has garnered the support of over 150 organizations, including AARP, America’s Essential Hospitals, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, and Teladoc Health, among others.
The bill is poised to address the growing demand for telehealth services and make strides toward establishing a more inclusive and accessible healthcare system.
