Washington D.C. –In a recent announcement, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) expressed her support for the Creating Opportunities to Now for Needy and Effective care Technologies (CONNECT) to Health Act of 2023. The bipartisan bill, which was reintroduced by senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and co-sponsored by Senator Britt and 57 more Senate colleagues, is designed to increase the coverage of telehealth services via Medicare.
If the bill is passed will not just expand the accessibility of telehealth services but also make COVID-19 telehealth flexibility permanent. The supporters of the bill assert it is a good idea to make changes that will enhance health outcomes and allow for more efficient doctor-patient connections.
Alabama Senator Katie Britt emphasized the importance of telehealth for different communities, noting, “Many Alabama communities rely on the amazing resources of telehealth, and have grown more comfortable with the ease of access to it over the last few years. I’m pleased to support legislation that ensures that all Alabamans receive timely and affordable healthcare options – regardless of their zip area.”
The CONNECT for Health Act, first introduced in 2016, is widely regarded for being one of the largest and most complete pieces of legislation regarding health care telemedicine in Congress. The legislation was added to the FY23 budget bill for government funding in December 2022. It temporarily extended the availability of expanded telehealth services until 2025. As these plans are scheduled to expire and an increasing sense of urgent need to implement the permanent policy of telehealth.
Senator Brian Schatz highlighted the growing importance of telehealth. He said, “While telehealth use has been on the rise in recent years however, our laws haven’t kept pace. Telehealth can help people from all parts of the country access the healthcare they need and is staying.”
Three provisions of the CONNECT for Health Act were enacted into law in the year 2020 which led to a dramatic increase in the number of people who use telehealth during the COVID-19 epidemic. The data suggests that close to one quarter of Americans utilized telehealth services over the last month, which highlights the importance of telehealth in providing access to healthcare.
The new version CONNECT for Health Act includes provisions to permanently end geographical restrictions on telehealth services expanding the number of originating websites to encompass homes as well as other places, and permit health centers as well as rural health clinics to offer telehealth services. The legislation also aims offer telehealth services to healthcare professionals who are eligible and eliminate the need for in-person visits requirements for telemental health care and permit the waiver of restrictions on telehealth during emergency situations involving public health.
Support from both parties for CONNECT to Health Act goes beyond the Senate as well as the companion legislation being introduced within the House of Representatives by U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) as well as Bill Johnson (R-Ohio).
The CONNECT for Health Act has been endorsed by more than 150 organizations that include AARP America’s Essential Hospitals, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association as well as Teladoc Health, among others.
The bill is expected to take on the ever-growing need for telehealth services, and help establish an accessible and more inclusive healthcare system.
