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U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-AL, announced on Wednesday that she supports the Creating Opportunities Now For Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) For Health Act of 2023.
The legislation is a bipartisan effort that is intended to expand telehealth services to more people and is co-sponsored by Britt and 57 other senators. Senior Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-AL, also is a co-sponsor of the bill.
The legislation will build on pre-existing provisions and include new opportunities that were not available in previous incarnations of the CONNECT for Health Act from 2016 and 2020. The newest version of the bill will include several provisions including:
- “Permanently removing all geographic restrictions on telehealth services and expand originating sites to include the home and other sites.
- 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 requirement 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, impacts of quality of care, and how it can be improved to support patients and health care providers.”
Britt commented on why expanding telehealth resources were crucial to many communities in Alabama and also medical workers.
“Many Alabama communities rely on the incredible resource that is telehealth and have become increasingly accustomed to its ease of access in recent years,” Britt said. “I’m proud to support legislation that would ensure Alabamians have timely and accessible healthcare solutions – no matter their zip code. Telemedicine is also an important tool for healthcare workers and medical providers, and I appreciate that this legislation supports their ability to reach and treat more hardworking families.”
