Advancing Telehealth Beyond Covid-19 Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation.

I have been working on telehealth and telemedicine for nearly three decades, since my time in the California State Senate.

As founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Telehealth Caucus, I have repeatedly introduced multiple bipartisan bills expanding access to telehealth, and have worked with my colleagues on the caucus-- including Ms. Matsui, Mr. Welch, Mr. Schweikert, and Mr. Johnson of Ohio--to ensure that access to telehealth services does not disappear at the conclusion of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

I was proud to author legislation two years ago expanding telehealth in Medicare for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. That legislation--which was included in the very first COVID-19 relief measure advanced by Congress--has allowed millions of seniors on Medicare to see their doctors over the past two years without leaving their homes.

By allowing these patients to receive the care they need remotely, we've been able to minimize transmission risk while maximizing safety for both patients and providers.

In my view, the expansion and widespread adoption of telehealth services is one of the few silver linings of COVID-19.

Americans across our country now know firsthand that by integrating technology with health care, we can bring care to underserved areas, reduce burdens on parents and caregivers, increase the efficiency of our health care system and, in many cases, save money: by ensuring that patients receive care swiftly, we can treat medical conditions early on--thereby warding off worse (and more expensive) complications down the road.

However, while the value of telehealth is particularly evident amidst a pandemic, its utility is not limited to the present circumstances.

It is critical that Congress extend telehealth flexibilities in Medicare beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency.

And that's what this bill does.

This bill includes numerous provisions of mine ensuring that seniors can continue to visit providers remotely, regardless of zip code, for two more years. It allows us to continue amassing and analyzing data, and sets the stage for telehealth to become a permanent part of the Medicare program--a goal I've long sought.

I want to thank the many, many colleagues of mine who have worked with me on this critical issue.

I urge my colleagues to vote yes.

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