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U.S. Senator Katie Britt, R-Ala., joined Senators Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii; Roger Wicker, R-Miss.; and 63 of their bipartisan Senate colleagues in reintroducing the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies for Health Act.
“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,” said Senator Britt. “I’m committed to supporting legislation that would ensure Alabamians have timely and accessible healthcare solutions – no matter their zip code.”
Sen. Britt’s announcement says the CONNECT for Health Act will make Medicare telehealth flexibilities permanent, improve health outcomes and make it easier for patients to connect with their doctors. Current flexibilities are set to expire on September 30 unless Congress extends them.
“While telehealth use has rapidly increased in recent years, our laws have not kept up,” said Senator Schatz. “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.”
Three provisions from the CONNECT for Health Act were signed into law in 2020. As a result, there was a sharp rise in the use of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic as patients were instructed to avoid traveling to hospitals and other health care settings and instead receive care at home. Data shows that telehealth provides essential and efficient access to care with over half of Americans now having participated in a telehealth visit.
“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,” said Senator Wicker. “It is time to make telehealth coverage permanent for Medicare recipients so that more Americans, especially those in rural Mississippi, have access to health care.”
In Alabama, several organizations and initiatives have increased access to telehealth, especially in rural areas. Of the state’s 55 rural counties where more than 43 percent of Alabamians reside, 13 percent of rural counties lack access to behavioral healthcare providers. Recently, Alabama has been ranked among the worst states in the nation for access to mental health care. The release states The CONNECT for Health Act makes it easier for patients to receive telemental health services, without having to travel or take time off work.
Senator Britt says she was a proud cosponsor of this legislation in the 118th Congress. The full text of the bill can be found here.
