AHA-supported bill would expand access to telehealth services

AHA on Oct. 10 voiced support for the CONNECT for Health Act (S. 2016/H.R. 4189), legislation that would increase patient access to telehealth services while removing barriers to adoption. The bill would permanently remove geographic restrictions that limit where patients can access telehealth, add homes and other clinically appropriate originating sites, and allow rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers to serve as distant sites. It also would remove requirements for an in-person evaluation six months before initiating behavioral telehealth treatment and an in-person visit annually thereafter.

AHA encouraged the legislation’s House and Senate sponsors to consider eliminating restrictions on originating sites altogether, and allowing critical access hospitals to offer and bill for telehealth services and serve as distant sites.

“Hospitals, health systems, providers and patients have seen the benefits and potential for telehealth to increase access and transform care delivery,” AHA wrote. “We appreciate your leadership on this important issue and look forward to working together to ensure passage of the CONNECT for Health Act of 2023.”