Healthcare (Telehealth)

in committee · United States · House Feb 26, 2025

HR 1627: TREATS Act

This bill changes rules for prescribing certain medications used to treat substance use disorders. It allows healthcare providers to use telehealth for the initial patient evaluation instead of requiring an in-person visit, but only for drugs approved by the FDA for addiction treatment (schedules III-V). The telehealth must meet specific standards, including real-time audio/video communication. This affects doctors and other practitioners who prescribe these medications for substance use disorders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables telehealth for initial substance use disorder evaluations, expanding patient access to treatment without in-person visits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Telehealth

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in committee · United States · House Feb 26, 2025

HR 1614: To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand practitioners eligible to furnish telehealth services under the Medicare program.

HR 1614 would amend Section 1834(m)(4)(E) of the Social Security Act to expand which healthcare providers can offer telehealth services to Medicare beneficiaries. The bill directly affects Medicare patients and current healthcare providers (like nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical psychologists) who are currently excluded from providing telehealth under Medicare. The key change is modifying the legal language to explicitly include these additional providers in the list of eligible telehealth furnishers. This policy change would allow more Medicare beneficiaries to access telehealth services from a broader range of qualified healthcare professionals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicare telehealth access for NPs, PAs, and psychologists, improving provider availability and patient access to care.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill expands Medicare telehealth access for additional providers, directly enabling technology-driven healthcare delivery and aligning with digital service promotion indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medicare Telehealth

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in committee · United States · House Apr 1, 2025

HR 2533: EASE Act of 2025

HR 2533, the EASE Act of 2025, requires Medicare and Medicaid to test a new telehealth model designed to improve specialty care access for rural and underserved Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries. The bill mandates the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to partner with nonprofit provider networks - comprising at least 50 community health centers or rural clinics (half in rural areas) - to deliver specialty care via telehealth and coordinate with primary care providers. Eligible individuals must be enrolled in Medicare Part B, Medicaid, or CHIP and reside in designated rural or underserved areas. The model requires networks to collect and evaluate data on service delivery, with funding subject to existing program rules. This creates a structured pilot program focused on expanding remote specialty care access in underserved regions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates telehealth expansion for rural/underserved Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries, improving specialty care access per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates telehealth implementation for rural healthcare access, promoting technology-driven care delivery and digital equity in underserved communities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Primary Care Telehealth Broadband Access Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · House Apr 29, 2025

HR 3063: Rural Hospital Stabilization Act of 2025

HR 3063, the Rural Hospital Stabilization Act of 2025, provides federal grants to help financially struggling rural hospitals in remote areas (defined as at least 15 miles from the nearest hospital and 20 miles from urban areas). The bill authorizes up to $5 million per hospital over five years for facility repairs, equipment upgrades, and operational costs like non-leadership payroll and debt payments, while requiring hospitals to demonstrate how projects address financial needs and ensure continued community access. Grants must supplement - not replace - existing funding, and hospitals must submit sustainability plans. The $500 million total funding authorization covers fiscal years after 2025, with a report to Congress on program outcomes within 18 months.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $5M/hospital over 5 years for rural hospital stabilization, directly funding essential public healthcare services through federal appropriations.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides federal grants to stabilize rural hospitals, ensuring continued healthcare access in underserved areas through facility repairs, equipment, and operational funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Telehealth Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · House Feb 27, 2025

HR 1650: Telehealth Expansion Act of 2025

This bill makes permanent a provision requiring health insurance plans to cover telehealth services without applying deductibles, which was previously temporary. It directly affects health insurance plans and their members who use telehealth services, ensuring no out-of-pocket cost for these visits under the plan. The key mechanism removes specific language in tax code provisions that limited this coverage to certain time periods, applying the rule permanently to all plan years starting in 2025. The bill does not create new telehealth services or infrastructure but changes how existing telehealth visits are covered by insurance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMakes telehealth coverage permanent without deductibles, expanding access to healthcare services without out-of-pocket costs for members.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Telehealth

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 11, 2026

S 3834: Expanded Telehealth Access Act

This bill expands Medicare coverage for telehealth services by adding new healthcare professionals to the list of providers eligible for payment. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries who use remote care and allows qualified audiologists, occupational therapists (including assistants), physical therapists (including assistants), and speech-language pathologists to bill Medicare for telehealth services. Key changes update Medicare rules to include these professionals under the definition of "practitioner" and specify that facilities can also provide telehealth services under Medicare. This policy change removes previous restrictions, making it easier for patients in rural or underserved areas to access these specialized telehealth services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicare telehealth coverage to include audiologists, therapists, and speech-language pathologists, improving patient access to care and strengthening provider eligibility under Medicare.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill expands telehealth access by including more healthcare professionals, promoting digital health equity and technology adoption in healthcare delivery.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare Telehealth

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in committee · United States · House Sep 8, 2025

HR 5199: Modernizing Rural Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner Utilization Act of 2025

This bill changes federal rules for rural healthcare facilities that employ physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). It requires these facilities (not run by a physician) to have arrangements consistent with state laws governing PA/NP practice, ensuring services follow state regulations. The policy directly affects rural clinics and hospitals seeking federal reimbursement for PA/NP services. The changes take effect January 1, 2027, aligning federal requirements with existing state oversight of these healthcare providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAligns federal reimbursement with state PA/NP practice laws, enabling rural clinics to utilize these providers without federal barriers, improving patient access in underserved areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals Telehealth Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 13, 2025

S 1056: Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2025

The Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2025 would authorize federal grants to expand mental health and substance use services for rural underserved populations and workers in farming, fishing, or forestry occupations. Grant recipients must deliver care via telehealth directly in patients' homes or comfortable settings, measure its effectiveness compared to in-person care, and improve infrastructure like broadband access and patient devices. The program requires annual reports on outcomes after three years and every two years, with up to $10 million allocated yearly from 2025 through 2029. This initiative aims to address geographic and occupational barriers to mental health care access.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes federal grants to expand mental health services via telehealth for rural underserved populations, directly advancing access and funding for mental health care.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands mental health and substance use services for workers in specific occupations, improving workplace well-being and support systems.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly requires improving broadband access and patient devices to enable telehealth services, directly advancing internet access infrastructure for healthcare delivery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Telehealth Broadband Access

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in committee · United States · House Dec 17, 2025

HR 6804: Rural Hospital Flexibility Act of 2025

The Rural Hospital Flexibility Act of 2025 creates new federal grant programs to support rural healthcare providers in improving services and adapting to community needs. It provides funding for quality improvement, behavioral health services, and technical assistance for critical access hospitals, rural health clinics, and rural emergency hospitals. The bill also establishes 5-year grants to help rural providers transition to new care models - including telehealth, integrated behavioral health, and extended emergency services - and offers specialized technical support for hospitals seeking rural emergency hospital status. These grants aim to strengthen rural healthcare systems by enhancing operational capacity and sustainability.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides federal grants for rural healthcare quality improvement, behavioral health services, and telehealth access to strengthen rural healthcare infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly funds telehealth and digital care model transitions for rural hospitals, advancing technology adoption in healthcare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Telehealth Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · House Feb 12, 2026

HR 7535: Second Chance Mental Health Access Act of 2026

This bill requires states to cover 12 annual telehealth mental health visits for Medicaid enrollees who were recently incarcerated in a public institution and are under court-ordered home confinement. It amends Medicaid law to mandate this coverage specifically for individuals released from prison and subject to home confinement, effective after the bill's enactment. The provision applies to all states operating under Medicaid plans or waivers, ensuring consistent access to mental health support during the reentry phase. It directly affects formerly incarcerated individuals transitioning from prison to home supervision, focusing on accessible mental health care through telehealth. The policy change is limited to Medicaid-covered telehealth visits during the period of home confinement, with no additional funding specified.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates mental health coverage for recently incarcerated individuals under home confinement, directly supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism in criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid coverage for 12 annual telehealth mental health visits for recently incarcerated individuals, expanding access to mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole Medicaid Mental Health Telehealth

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