April 4, 2025
PALTmed supports the bipartisan CONNECT for Health Act (S. 1261), which was recently reintroduced by Sens. Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Roger Wicker (R-MS). Companion legislation has also been introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA), Doris Matsui (D-CA), David Schweikert (R-AZ), and Troy Balderson (R-OH). This legislation seeks to expand telehealth access and make the telehealth flexibilities implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic permanent.
The bill is a step forward in ensuring that more Americans, particularly those in rural areas, have access to the health care they need, regardless of location. The CONNECT for Health Act would:
- Permanently remove all geographic restrictions on telehealth services and expand originating sites to the location of the patient, including homes
- Permanently allow health centers and rural health clinics to provide telehealth services
- Allow more eligible health-care professionals to utilize telehealth services
- Remove unnecessary in-person visit requirements for telemental health services
- Allow for the waiver of telehealth restrictions during public health emergencies
- Require more published data to learn more about how telehealth is being used, the impacts of quality of care, and how it can be improved to support patients and health-care providers
With current telehealth flexibilities set to expire on September 30, 2025, this legislation is crucial for continuing the accessibility and affordability of medical care. PALTmed stands behind this important initiative to enhance health-care access for millions of patients.
