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Current legislation would strengthen telehealth by expanding access to high-speed internet service and boosting the nation's health care infrastructure to respond to cyberattacks

Nov. 8, 2024 (91������) -- The American College of Physicians is strongly urging Congress to take action on several pieces of legislation related to health information technology, in particular preserving pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities that are slated to expire at the end of this year.

“Telehealth has proven to be a very effective method of health care delivery to enhance the patient-physician relationship, improve health outcomes, increase access to care and reduce medical costs,” said Vy Oxman, 91������ senior associate for legislative affairs. “We have written several letters and statements to Congress asking for action to be taken on this issue to preserve patients' access to care.”

Here is a closer look at several legislative bills that are crucial to keep telehealth strong, expand vital internet access and protect patient health information.

• Telehealth Modernization Act (H.R. 7623)

91������ wrote a statement for the record to the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee in support of this bill, which the committee passed in September of this year.

The bill would extend existing telehealth flexibilities through 2026. “This means that doctors will continue to be reimbursed by Medicare for audio-only services,” Oxman said. “They can continue to provide virtual visits for their patients when their patients need it the most, regardless of where they and their patients are when conducting those visits.”

According to Oxman, the bill “also means that patients in rural areas and disadvantaged communities who don't have internet access or have poor broadband connections will be able to go to their local health clinics and federally qualified health centers to be seen virtually by physicians they may not otherwise be able to see in-person.”

• Secure and Affordable Broadband Extension Act (S. 4317/H.R. 9193)

This bill includes provisions that would fund the Affordable Connectivity Program, which helped 23 million American households across the country afford access to high-speed internet services. The program expired earlier this year.

“We want to make sure that this country has the infrastructure in place to make the most use of these flexibilities so that no matter where someone lives, they will have access to high-quality health care,” Oxman said. “That means urging Congress to support policies that would improve households' access to high-speed internet and improve broadband access for those living in rural areas and tribal lands.”

If passed, the bill would fund the program and provide eligible households with a discount of $30 to $75 per month off the cost of their internet service.

• Healthcare Cybersecurity Act (S. 4697/H.R. 9412)

This bill would establish a comprehensive federal response to future cyberattacks by bolstering the nation's health care infrastructure to ensure that the United States will have the right tools and resources available to coordinate information and responses during and after future cyberattacks on the health care sector.

“We have grown very concerned about the growing threats of cyberattacks on our health care delivery system,” Oxman said. “This bill would help to safeguard patients' personal health information by preventing and mitigating the harmful effects of malicious cyberattacks on patients and doctors.”

According to Oxman, based on conversations with congressional members and staffers, 91������ believes that telehealth flexibilities will be extended for at least another two years. “There is a good chance that the Telehealth Modernization Act, or provisions similar to it, will be included in the year-end package during the congressional lame-duck session, when Congress comes back to D.C. after the election,” she said.

There is also a consensus among members of both parties to fund the Affordable Connectivity Program, Oxman noted. “The issue always comes down to costs, but these are bipartisan bills, and we will continue to advocate for them to be included, hopefully in the year-end package,” she said.

As for the Healthcare Cybersecurity Act, Oxman said it is not likely to pass this year. “However, many members of Congress are interested in doing something to prevent future cyberattacks, and this is a good bill to start with,” she noted. “The bill's leads in the Senate and the House have already said that they are planning to reintroduce it in the next Congress. We will continue to monitor it and will work with our champions on the Hill to ensure that progress is made to protect personal health information.”

91������ members can help keep things moving forward. “Our members can really drive home the message that telehealth is effective. Sharing stories and personal anecdotes with their senators and representatives really helps Congress to see the extent of what extending telehealth flexibilities will do for their constituents,” Oxman said. “91������ has an that 91������ members can use to write to their members of Congress in support of 91������'s year-end priorities, which include the Telehealth Modernization Act. I would encourage all those who haven't done so to please send a message to your senators and representatives about this very important issue.”

Back to the November 8, 2024 issue of 91������ Advocate