The House Energy & Commerce Committee passed the Telehealth Modernization Act to the full House on Wednesday. The bill extends flexibilities initially authorized during the COVID 2019 pandemic under Medicare. H.R. 7623 is sponsored by Rep. Earl “Buddy” Carter, (R-GA), and a bipartisan coalition.
During the 41-0 vote, Carter said the bill as amended improves telehealth accessibility “regardless of where patients live. Telehealth has proven to be a safe, effective way to access care, but without critical action, telehealth access will expire at the end of the year.” The bill extends telehealth for seniors through 2026.
Coalition member Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) said telehealth is “often the bridge to care for patients.” It helps those who don’t have transportation, or childcare or those who might be able to travel receive healthcare, she said.
During the 2019 COVID pandemic, Rochester said, “In Delaware, healthcare centers rapidly scaled up telehealth to reach patients in underserved communities. In 2019 just one healthcare center offered just minimal telehealth services.” As of 2023, all Delaware healthcare centers [offered] robust telehealth services, providing 44,000 virtual patient visits, she explained.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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