House committee examines path forward for patients in telehealth

At a House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health hearing today, health care stakeholders urged Congress to continue granting telehealth flexibilities to health care providers in an effort to best care for patients beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency. 

In a statement submitted for the hearing, AHA highlighted the importance of telehealth to increasing access to care, improving health outcomes and avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations. In addition, AHA encouraged Congress to eliminate geographic and originating site restrictions so patients can receive telehealth services in their homes and other locations; cover and reimburse for audio-only services; allow licensed clinicians to provide telehealth services to patients across state lines; ensure adequate reimbursement; expand the types of health care facilities and providers that can offer telehealth care; and fund programs to offset the costs of telehealth infrastructure and provide sustainable reimbursement.