{"id":32253,"date":"2021-05-26T18:35:34","date_gmt":"2021-05-26T18:35:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.mtelehealth.com\/?p=32253"},"modified":"2021-05-26T18:35:34","modified_gmt":"2021-05-26T18:35:34","slug":"house-subcommittee-holds-hearing-on-the-path-forward-for-telehealth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drmiltie.com\/at-home-testing\/house-subcommittee-holds-hearing-on-the-path-forward-for-telehealth\/","title":{"rendered":"House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on the Path Forward for Telehealth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

The House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee held a hearing on April 28<\/a> to discuss the benefits that telehealth has provided during the COVID-19 pandemic and how to maintain these advancements in care in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the hearing, \u201cCharting the Path Forward for Telehealth,\u201d subcommittee members and witnesses primarily focused their comments on how telehealth has expanded access to care and provided several recommendations, including extending some of the current telehealth waivers that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued to allow flexibility to hospitals and other providers delivering care during the COVID-19 pandemic [refer to Washington Highlights<\/em><\/a>, May 1, 2020] and increasing access to broadband connectivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his opening statement<\/a>, subcommittee Chair Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) noted, \u201cTelehealth has allowed essential health care workers to provide primary care, specialty care, patient monitoring, case management \u2014 all while reducing the spread of COVID-19.\u201d He added that telehealth can help reduce health inequities by removing barriers like transportation and child care, but he also pointed out that increased access to broadband \u2014 especially for economically disadvantaged patients \u2014 is necessary to make telehealth successful in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doggett also mentioned that he plans to introduce a bill to temporarily extend the existing telehealth waivers before they expire to allow the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services to \u201cevaluate the impact on health care delivery, Medicare spending and utilization as well as to assess the quality of care delivered in order to provide evidence-based recommendations to Congress regarding likely permanent changes to Medicare.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subcommittee Ranking Member Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) added his support for telehealth<\/a> and noted the bipartisan support for the issue. He stated, “Ways and Means Republicans believe telehealth is a powerful tool that can improve access to care, empower patient choice, and ultimately make our health care system more effective and efficient. When we think about the future of the health care system\u2014one that is personalized, portable, and pays for value\u2014there is no doubt that telehealth must be a key component.\u201d He continued, \u201cFor years, Congress has incrementally integrated telehealth into Medicare through a series of strategic investments. And now, the pandemic has allowed us to see and experience the positive benefits telehealth unleashed through the Medicare program and what they can deliver for patients. It would be a missed opportunity to turn back now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the hearing, the AAMC submitted a statement for the record<\/a> that urged Congress to take additional steps \u201cto ensure that Medicare beneficiaries and other patients can continue to have access to telehealth services beyond the pandemic, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n