Hinds Today

U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Brian Schatz have reintroduced the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act. This bipartisan effort, including support from 60 colleagues, aims to expand telehealth services under Medicare, make COVID-19-related telehealth flexibilities permanent, and improve health outcomes by facilitating connections between patients and healthcare providers.

Senator Wicker emphasized the need for health services to evolve with the digital age, highlighting that "it is time to make telehealth coverage permanent for Medicare recipients so that more Americans, especially those in rural Mississippi, have access to health care."

Senator Hyde-Smith noted the existing recognition of telehealth's importance in Mississippi and its role in delivering care to rural and mobility-challenged communities. "This legislation is essential to delivering affordable, accessible, and quality care that Americans deserve," she stated.

Senator Schatz pointed out the necessity of updating laws to support the increased use of telehealth: "Telehealth is helping people get the care they need, and it’s here to stay," he said, underscoring the bill's role in making healthcare access more convenient regardless of geographical location.

The bill, reintroduced as S.1261, continues to have strong backing from the Telehealth Working Group and numerous cosponsors from both political parties. It includes support from U.S. Senators John Barrasso, Mark Warner, and Peter Welch, among others.

Originally introduced in 2016, the CONNECT for Health Act is regarded as the most comprehensive telehealth legislation in Congress. The bill includes provisions that have been enacted into law or adopted by the CMS, particularly in light of the COVID pandemic, to remove restrictions on telehealth services for mental health, stroke care, and home dialysis.

As the 119th Congress progresses, the CONNECT for Health Act aims to further the progress made in telehealth services by incorporating new and revised provisions to broaden access to care.