Georgia Mountain News

Washington, D.C. - A bipartisan group of representatives, including Earl L. “Buddy” Carter, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Greg Steube, Terri Sewell, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Jefferson Van Drew, and Joe Morelle, have introduced the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 aimed at permanently extending telehealth flexibilities for Medicare beneficiaries.

The bill, if passed, will guarantee permanent access to telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries while also extending these flexibilities to federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics. The initiative is intended to enhance telehealth access and provide certainty about its future, particularly benefiting seniors and individuals in rural areas.

Representative Carter emphasized the importance of telehealth by stating, "Telehealth is a vital part of our health care system, and we must ensure that it is available to patients who need it." He added, "By permanently extending telehealth flexibilities for Medicare patients, we are making health care more accessible for seniors, regardless of their physical location."

Other lawmakers echoed similar sentiments regarding the significance of telehealth, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Representative Blunt Rochester highlighted, "The pandemic showed us just how important access to telehealth services are, especially for helping our seniors get the care they need."

Support for the Telehealth Modernization Act extends beyond the political realm, with various healthcare organizations endorsing the bill. The American Telemedicine Association, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the American Medical Association, and the National Association of Community Health Centers are among the entities backing the legislation.

The Telehealth Modernization Act is seen as a critical step towards ensuring that individuals, particularly seniors and those in rural areas, have access to quality healthcare services. The proposed legislation aims to bridge geographical barriers, modernize healthcare, and improve overall healthcare accessibility for all Americans.