Summary
Federal attention on telehealth continues to mount. This is true especially as uncertainty builds around when the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) will end, which would mark the end of many telehealth flexibilities absent further congressional action (though the Administration may allow any flexibilities to persist for up to an additional 60 days following the end of the PHE).
The legislative vehicle to expand telehealth is unclear, as is the decision to make expansion temporary or permanent, though promptings from both lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and stakeholders continue to push Congress to act. Below, we round up the latest federal actions on telehealth suggesting how Congress may move next.
In our latest roundup on the telehealth front, we examine:
- Recent legislative developments, highlighting major lawmaker support for advancing telehealth expansion legislation;
- Stakeholder efforts urging Congress to act on telehealth; and
- Potential next steps that spec out the possible contours of telehealth expansion legislation and prognostication on timing.