Pulaski Times

U.S. Senator John Boozman has joined a large bipartisan group of senators to back the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act. The initiative, led by Senators Brian Schatz and Roger Wicker, seeks to expand telehealth service coverage through Medicare, make COVID-19 telehealth policies permanent, and facilitate better connectivity between patients and doctors. Without congressional action, the existing flexibilities are due to expire on September 30.

Senator Boozman emphasized the importance of telehealth in rural and underserved communities, stating, “Telehealth keeps access to care within reach for Arkansans... There is widespread agreement that we should make this 21st century option a permanent tool to maximize and expand its positive impact.”

Senator Schatz noted the critical role of telehealth, saying, “While telehealth use has rapidly increased in recent years, our laws have not kept up.” He stressed that the bill would make it easier for people to access medical care regardless of location.

Senator Wicker highlighted the digital transformation of health services: “We live in a digital world, and our health services should reflect 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.”

The plan would remove geographic restrictions on telehealth services, permit health centers and rural clinics to provide these services, broaden eligibility for professionals, eliminate unnecessary in-person visit requirements for telemental health, allow for the suspension of telehealth restrictions during public health emergencies, and require detailed data publication on telehealth usage and quality impacts.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, along with a host of other senators, including Mark Warner, Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Peter Welch, have cosponsored this legislative effort. The bill garners support from over 150 organizations such as the American Medical Association and the American Telemedicine Association.

The bill's text is available for review.