Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) has joined forces with Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and 63 other bipartisan Senate colleagues to reintroduce the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act. This legislation seeks to enhance telehealth services access and make Medicare telehealth flexibilities permanent. Currently, these flexibilities are set to expire on September 30 unless Congress decides to extend them.

Senator Britt emphasized the significance of telehealth for Alabama communities, saying, “Telehealth has become an indispensable resource for countless Alabama communities, and I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation that expands access to telehealth services. The CONNECT for Health Act cuts red tape for patients and supports the ability of our healthcare workers and medical providers to reach and treat more hardworking families.” She reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring timely and accessible healthcare solutions for residents across Alabama.

Senator Schatz highlighted the need for updated laws in line with the rise of telehealth, stating, “While telehealth use has rapidly increased in recent years, our laws have not kept up. Telehealth is helping people get the care they need, and it’s here to stay. Our comprehensive bill makes it easier for more people to see their doctors no matter where they live.”

Notably, three provisions from the CONNECT for Health Act had already been enacted into law in 2020, contributing to a significant rise in telehealth usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift allowed patients to receive care from home, minimizing the need to visit hospitals or healthcare facilities. Telehealth has since become a vital means of accessing care, with over half of Americans having experienced a telehealth visit.

Senator Wicker expressed the importance of making telehealth coverage permanent for Medicare recipients, particularly for those in rural Mississippi, adding, “We live in a digital world, and our health services should reflect that. In the past decade, telehealth has made medical care more accessible for patients across the state and country.”

In Alabama, the focus is on enhancing telehealth access, particularly in rural regions where 13% of counties lack behavioral healthcare providers. The state has also been ranked poorly for access to mental health care. The CONNECT for Health Act aims to facilitate access to telemental health services without requiring patients to travel or take time off work.

Senator Britt was a cosponsor of this legislation during the 118th Congress.