Pappas Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Telehealth Access for Rural Granite Staters
Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) introduced the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act in the U.S. House of Representatives alongside Representatives Lisa McClain (MI-09), Jake LaTurner (KS-02), Marcus Molinaro (NY-19), Alex Mooney (WV-02), and Zach Nunn (IA-03). This legislation will expand access to health care and save patients time and money by making permanent Medicare coverage of telehealth services allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes would include allowing patients to be treated at home, allowing rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers to provide telehealth services, and expanding coverage of audio-only services for certain conditions, among other changes. Senator Shaheen has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
“Granite Staters, including those who live in rural areas, have benefitted in numerous ways from the expansion of telehealth. Being able to access care virtually has ensured more people can receive the right care at the right time while saving them both time and money by eliminating transportation costs,” said Congressman Pappas. “Making coverage of telehealth services permanent is a practical proposal that benefits patients and providers alike. I want to thank Representatives McClain, LaTurner, Molinaro, Mooney, and Nunn for partnering with me on this legislation, and I look forward to advancing it through the House.
“Quality access to telehealth is an undeniably important aspect of modern-day healthcare in our country, and it is crucial that folks in rural communities are provided unfettered access to this necessity,” said Congresswoman McClain. “I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, a bill that is designed to ensure vital access for those who truly need it most.”
"Since the pandemic, telehealth has significantly expanded health care access for rural communities across Kansas," said Congressman LaTurner. "I am proud to help introduce the bipartisan Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act to ensure folks across our state can continue receiving essential health care services without the burden of long-distance travel."
Congressman Molinaro said, "Access to quality healthcare should not be a luxury reserved for urban areas. Rural communities matter and deserve the same level of care and convenience. That’s why I’m introducing the Protecting Rural Telehealth Act. This bipartisan legislation makes permanent telehealth flexibilities that were originally implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. In doing so, we will ensure all Americans and New Yorkers have access to the care they need, regardless of their zip code.”
“West Virginia’s rural and mountainous terrain doesn’t always allow for a quick trip to the doctor’s office. I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation to allow my constituents to continue to access medical providers from the comfort of their home via telehealth,” said Congressman Mooney.
“Improving access to telehealth is critical for Iowans in rural communities,” said Congressman Nunn. “This bipartisan bill will benefit rural hospitals, rural communities, and rural Americans by supporting innovative technologies that will strengthen and broaden access to healthcare.”
This legislation is backed by more than twenty organizations, including the Alliance for Connected Care, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, America’s Essential Hospitals, the Americans for Prosperity, the American Medical Group Association (AMGA), the American Telemedicine Association, the AMDA The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, the eHealth Initiative, the Global Liver Institute, the Hawai'i Parkinson Association, the International Foundation for Autoimmune & Autoinflammatory Arthritis (AiArthritis), LeadingAge, the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), the National Association of Health Underwriters, the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs, the National Rural Health Association, Patient & Provider Advocates for Telehealth, the Progressive Policy Institute, Psychiatric Medical Care, the Special Needs Plan Alliance, and the diaTribe Foundation.