ICYMI: U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee Unanimously Supports Two-Year Telehealth Flexibility Extension

Lawmakers Vote Favorably Amends H.R. 7623 to the Full House During Markup Session

In case you missed it, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee held a markup session yesterday on several bills, including H.R. 7623, the “Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024,” introduced by U.S. House Representatives Buddy Carter (R-GA-1), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-6), Joe Morelle (D-NY-25), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-1), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE-At Large), Greg Steube (R-FL-17), Terri Sewell (D-AL-7), and Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ-25). The bill would extend the current Medicare telehealth flexibilities that are set to expire at the end of this year  for an additional two years until 2026. The committee voted favorably on the bill with an overwhelming 41 yes’s and zero no’s, ordering the bill favorably reported to the full house.

Throughout the markup session, members of Congress on both sides of the aisle stressed the importance of safeguarding access to telehealth, especially ahead of the expiration of telehealth protections at the end of this year.

Read some of what lawmakers had to say during the hearing:

Congressman Buddy Carter (R-GA-01): “Telehealth has proven to be a safe, effective way to deliver care. It’s a lifeline for patients in rural areas and those with mobility issues. Additionally, it addresses health care workforce shortages. Often we say that we knew how important telehealth was before the pandemic, but we didn’t quite realize it until the pandemic. Without congressional action, critical Medicare telehealth flexibilities will expire at the end of this year, creating an access cliff for millions of patients…. While I’m disappointed that we are not making these Medicare telehealth flexibilities permanent, I look forward to working with my colleagues on this committee to ensure that these vital telehealth services do not lapse.”

Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE-At Large): “We have built bipartisan support for extended telehealth flexibilities, because these issues impact every single one of our constituents. One of the few positive outcomes of the covid 19 pandemic was the rapid progress we made on expanding telehealth access to seniors and individuals with disabilities through flexibility…. Telehealth is a lifeline, and for so many of our constituents, this bill delivers on the promise.”

Congressman John Joyce (R-PA-13): “Many of the flexibilities that allowed for increased uptake of telehealth and increased access for Medicare beneficiaries are set to expire at the end of this year. This bill would continue these critical flexibilities for another two years. During the Covid-19 public health emergency, we recognized the benefits of expanded virtual healthcare services, the ability of Medicare beneficiaries to receive telehealth services at any site, regardless of type or location… improving access to this care will lead to better health outcomes and ultimately reduced cost to the Medicare system through reduced hospitalizations and emergency department visits.”

Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-7): “Telehealth has gone from a novel, unconventional tool, to one of the premier modalities for treating patients. We can all agree that one of the silver linings of the pandemic was unlocking the incredible potential of telehealth. Now we have the opportunity to maintain and build on this era of virtual care. The legislation before us today, which would extend telehealth flexibilities for two years, is a first step. I’m sure many of us hope that we could go further to make telehealth a permanent part of our health care system.”

Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH-05): “Telehealth provides a lifeline for those in rural and underserved areas who otherwise would not have access. With a physical disability, those who lack transportation are at risk. Americans need continued, expanded telehealth services. Additionally, health providers are seeing less cancellations and better long-term health outcomes, and this is most evident when it comes to mental health care.”

Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL-14): “I did want to speak in favor of the Telehealth Modernization Act. I think it’s important to include these extensions of the flexibilities that have been a godsend to our neighbors since the pandemic.”

Congresswoman Ana Kuster (D-NH-02): “Today, we have the opportunity to approve a telehealth extension and modernization for two years. I recall in 2020 in the beginning of the pandemic, when we finally took the leap, we all know it would have been rough sledding through the pandemic if we didn’t have telehealth. It’s become a critical part of medicine and health care access, especially for seniors, persons with disabilities, and in rural areas.”

Watch the full hearing HERE, read TAFA’s statement ahead of the markup HERE and read TAFA’s statement following the markup HERE.

ABOUT TELEHEALTH ACCESS FOR AMERICA

Telehealth Access for America (TAFA) is a public education campaign supported by leaders in health care committed to better care, expanded patient choice, and protecting access to critical telehealth services. Learn more at www.telehealthaccessforamerica.org.