House Health Subpanel Plans Wednesday Telehealth Legislative Hearing

The House Commerce Health Subcommittee plans a Wednesday hearing on the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies for Health Act (HR-4189) and 14 other telehealth bills. HR-4189 and Senate companion S-2016 would make permanent a waiver of geographic restrictions on access to telehealth services, plus several temporary rules changes allowing expanded use of the technology Congress enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic (see 2006150032). “The pandemic opened our eyes to the many benefits telehealth services provide to patients,” said House Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and Health Chairman Brett Guthrie, R-Ky. “We want to ensure patients continue to have the choice whether to go to a doctor in person or use telehealth when appropriate and more convenient for them. At the same time, we must also be vigilant that technological innovations provide value for both patients and the Medicare program as a whole.” Also on the agenda: HR-134, Knowing the Efficiency and Efficacy of Permanent Telehealth Options Act (HR-1110), Telemental Health Care Access Act (HR-3432), Expanded Telehealth Access Act (HR-3875), Temporary Reciprocity to Ensure Access to Treatment Act (HR-5541), Helping Ensure Access to Local TeleHealth Act (HR-5611), Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge Act (HR-6033), Equal Access to Specialty Care Everywhere Act (HR-7149), Telehealth Modernization Act (HR-7623), HR-7711, Promoting Responsible and Effective Virtual Experiences through Novel Technology to Deliver Improved Access and Better Engagement with Tested and Evidence-based Strategies Act (HR-7856), Telehealth Enhancement for Mental Health Act (HR-7858), HR-7863 and draft Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act. The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in 2123 Rayburn.