HR 8261 United States House · 118th Congress

Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act

This bill extends key Medicare telehealth flexibilities through 2026, allowing beneficiaries to continue receiving care via telehealth without geographic restrictions or requiring in-person visits for most services. It delays in-person mental health visit requirements until 2027, allows audio-only telehealth services, and extends hospital-at-home program waivers through 2029. The bill affects Medicare beneficiaries, healthcare providers, and hospitals by preserving access to telehealth services and maintaining critical hospital and ambulance payment structures. It also includes provisions for language access in telehealth and new reporting requirements for pharmacy benefit managers.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced May 7, 2024 Last action Dec 19, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
4
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Dec 19, 2024
Lower · Passed
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
lower
Dec 17, 2024
Lower · Passed
House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 19, 2024.
lower
Dec 17, 2024
Lower · Passed
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 118-891, Part I.
lower
May 10, 2024
Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
lower
May 8, 2024
Introduced
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.
lower
May 8, 2024
Lower · Passed
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
lower
May 7, 2024
Committee
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
lower
May 7, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors