The Advancing Access to Telehealth Act makes permanent Medicare's temporary telehealth flexibilities that were expanded during the public health emergency. It allows Medicare beneficiaries to receive telehealth services for mental health, stroke care, substance use disorder, and home dialysis without needing an initial in-person visit. The bill also expands eligibility for telehealth providers to include more healthcare professionals and permanently authorizes Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics to offer telehealth services. Additionally, it permits audio-only telehealth calls for certain services, removing previous video-only requirements.
This bill expands Medicare's definition of "rural emergency hospital" to allow certain closed rural hospitals to rejoin the program. Specifically, it creates a new eligibility category for facilities that were critical access hospitals or rural hospitals (under Section 1886(d)) in rural counties, ceased operations between January 2014 and December 2020, and submit an application to become rural emergency hospitals. The bill modifies Medicare payment rules to provide specific adjustments for these reactivated facilities, including distance requirements (e.g., hospitals within 35 miles of another hospital won't receive immediate payment increases). The changes take effect January 1, 2027, directly affecting rural hospitals that closed during the specified period and wish to rejoin Medicare.
HR 6652, the "U.S. Vets of the FAS Act," requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide telehealth services and mail-order pharmacy deliveries to veterans residing in the Freely Associated States (FAS) - which include the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau. The bill mandates the VA to establish agreements with FAS governments within one year of enactment and begin offering these services within the same timeframe. It also modifies travel payment rules to require VA to cover beneficiary travel costs starting one year after enactment. The VA must report quarterly on implementation progress and costs to Congress until agreements are finalized and services launched. This bill directly affects veterans in FAS territories and VA operations related to their healthcare access.
The Maintaining Innovation and Safe Technologies Act requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to issue Medicare Part B payment guidance by January 1, 2027, for remote monitoring devices that use artificial intelligence. This guidance will clarify payment rules for devices like continuous glucose monitors, which must have an AI component (e.g., automatic adjustments) and transmit patient data to healthcare providers for treatment management. The bill directly affects Medicare coverage for these AI-enabled medical devices, used by patients managing chronic conditions such as diabetes. It does not change current reimbursement rates but mandates clear payment criteria through updated guidance by the specified deadline.
The Kidd's Stuttering Act requires Medicaid and CHIP to screen children aged 2-6 for stuttering and speech fluency during routine well-child visits starting January 1, 2027. It also mandates that Medicaid and CHIP cover specified speech therapy services for childhood stuttering (defined as "specified speech therapy services") with coverage rules no more restrictive than those for other speech disorders like language delays. The bill ensures these services include telehealth options and applies to all states administering Medicaid or CHIP. This directly affects children with stuttering who qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, aiming to improve early detection and access to treatment.
This bill would require the FDA to replace current regulations for mifepristone (the drug sold as Mifeprex) with the 2011 risk management plan, reversing recent changes. It bans the importation of mifepristone into the U.S. (including by mail) and creates a federal civil liability for entities that illegally import or transport the drug, allowing individuals harmed by the drug to sue for damages. The law directly affects drug manufacturers, importers, telehealth providers, and pharmacies that handle mifepristone, and would make it illegal to import the drug regardless of state laws. It does not change how the drug is prescribed or dispensed within the U.S. but targets its importation and imposes new legal consequences for violations.
This bill reauthorizes federal grant programs supporting telehealth networks and resource centers through the Public Health Service Act. It provides $42.05 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fund these programs. The key provision is the specific, multi-year funding amount for existing telehealth infrastructure and support services. These grants directly support healthcare providers and community organizations that expand remote medical services. The bill makes no changes to program eligibility or structure, only extending funding authorization.
This bill, S 1168 (Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity Act of 2025), would expand Medicare coverage to include separate reimbursement for portable ultrasound transportation and setup services, mirroring the existing payment structure for portable X-ray services. It directly affects medical equipment suppliers who provide mobile ultrasound services to Medicare beneficiaries. The bill amends Medicare law to require the Secretary to establish payment rules for portable ultrasound services that are substantially similar to those for portable X-ray services under existing regulations. These changes would take effect for services furnished on or after January 1, 2027.
HR 1906, the Rural Wellness Act, extends a deadline for rural development funding to 2029 and requires that 17% of funds prioritize projects offering behavioral and mental health services like prevention, treatment, and recovery. It directs grant administrators to give preference to rural community facilities providing these services and employing staff trained in mental health care. The law applies to programs under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act and the Rural Development Act of 1972. This affects rural communities seeking health facility grants and changes how funding is allocated to address mental health needs.
HR 4186, the Connecting Students with Mental Health Services Act, creates a federal grant program to expand mental health services for K-12 students in underserved areas. It authorizes $5 million annually (2026-2029) for grants to school districts partnering with community health providers to establish telehealth programs, focusing on rural, high-poverty, or health-professional-shortage-area schools. Funds can cover telehealth equipment, staffing, and facilities to deliver remote mental health care. The program requires grantees to comply with privacy laws and report on student access to services by 2027. This directly affects students lacking local mental health resources through concrete funding for telehealth infrastructure.
