ROAD TO THE TELEHEALTH SUPER BOWL: HOUSE ENERGY & COMMERCE SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH TACKLES 15 BILLS IN RACE TO BEAT YEAR-END DEADLINE
WASHINGTON, DC, APRIL 11, 2024 – The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) and ATA Action applaud the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health for convening a hearing yesterday to address 15 bills before the expiration of many COVID-era telehealth flexibilities on December 31.
“This hearing was another important milestone and reminder that access to telehealth and virtual care is essential for delivering safe, effective, quality care to all individuals, including those in rural and underserved communities, as part of a modernized healthcare system. In testimony and statements from committee members, the sense of urgency to extend telehealth flexibilities, and the benefits of telehealth were made loud and clear,” said Kyle Zebley, Senior Vice President, Public Policy, the ATA and Executive Director, ATA Action. “As we continue to seek permanent access to virtual care services, we greatly appreciate the Health subcommittee for their continued support to advance appropriate and necessary policies to ensure citizens have access to often life-saving telehealth services, when and where they need it.”
House subcommittee chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) addressed the issue of program integrity during his opening remarks, referencing data from the Health and Human Services Department of the Inspector General (OIG): “…there have been concerns about increases in waste, fraud, and abuse. On that issue, it appears that telehealth can be used to deliver care without actually raising those serious concerns.”
In her testimony, ATA member Eve Cunningham, MD, MBA, Group Vice President and Chief of Virtual Care and Digital Health, Providence, noted that telehealth has become “a core function of healthcare delivery,” expanding access to high-quality care and improving health outcomes.
ATA Clinician Council member Ateev Mehrotra, MD, MPH, Professor of Health Care Policy & Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Hospitalist, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, also urged Congress to permanently eliminate site-location requirements, remove in-person requirements before mental health visits and allow exceptions to state licensure that allow patients to get care from clinicians in another state.
“We are proud that Drs. Cunningham and Mehrotra provided compelling testimony in support of access to virtual care services. We are now in the second quarter of the Telehealth Super Bowl, and it is imperative that we take every opportunity to urge Congress to act swiftly to support telehealth policies that advance permanent access to safe, affordable and effective healthcare where and when it’s needed,” Zebley added.
Continue the Discussion at ATA Nexus Annual Conference
ATA Nexus 2024, May 5-7 in Phoenix, AZ, will explore virtual care in the real world – examining our new realities and highlighting the lessons learned, while convening the changemakers and front-line providers who are defining the ‘new normal’ for tech-enabled care. Join the healthcare leaders and decision-makers gathering to help modernize our healthcare system and integrate telehealth in care delivery.
GENERAL REGISTRATION: For more information or to register, please visit the ATA Nexus 2024 website for details and easy online registration.
MEDIA REGISTRATION: Register to attend ATA Nexus 2024 here and use comp code ATA24PRMEDIA to receive complimentary press credentials. Or contact Gina Cella at gcella@americantelemed.org.
About ATA Action
ATA Action recognizes that telehealth and virtual care have the potential to transform the healthcare delivery system by improving patient outcomes, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of care, addressing health disparities, and reducing costs. ATA Action is a registered 501c6 entity and an affiliated trade organization of the American Telemedicine Association (ATA).
About the ATA
As the only organization completely focused on advancing telehealth, the American Telemedicine Association is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to safe, affordable, and appropriate care when and where they need it, enabling the system to do more good for more people. The ATA represents a broad and inclusive member network of leading healthcare delivery systems, academic institutions, technology solution providers and payers, as well as partner organizations and alliances, working to advance industry adoption of telehealth, promote responsible policy, advocate for government and market normalization, and provide education and resources to help integrate virtual care into emerging value-based delivery models.
