Bipartisan Telehealth Bill Reintroduced in Senate

A bipartisan group of 60 senators—led by Sens. Brian Schatz (D-HI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Ben Cardin (D-MD), John Thune (R-SD), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS)—has reintroduced the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies Act (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2023. A companion bill was also introduced in the House.

The bill, originally introduced in 2021, will permanently extend telehealth services through Medicare. They are currently set to expire after 2024.

Sen. Schatz noted in a press release, “While telehealth use has skyrocketed these last few years, our laws have not kept up. Telehealth is helping people in every part of the country 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.”

The Society is among the many organizations supporting the bill.