Healthcare (Telehealth) in United States

in committee · United States · House Aug 15, 2025

HR 4977: Connected MOM Act

HR 4977, the Connected MOM Act, requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study Medicaid coverage of remote health monitoring devices (like blood pressure cuffs and pulse oximeters) for pregnant and postpartum women. Within 18 months of enactment, HHS must report to Congress on current state practices, barriers to coverage, and how these affect maternal and child health outcomes. Six months after the report, HHS must update state Medicaid resources, such as telehealth toolkits, to align with the report's recommendations. The bill directly affects pregnant and postpartum women enrolled in state Medicaid programs by aiming to improve access to these monitoring tools. It does not change Medicaid rules immediately but sets a process for future policy adjustments based on the findings.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medicaid Telehealth Women's Health

in committee · United States · House Mar 27, 2025

HR 2477: Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity Act of 2025

HR 2477, the Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity Act of 2025, would amend Medicare rules to require equal reimbursement for portable ultrasound transportation and setup services as is currently provided for portable X-ray services. This change directly affects Medicare beneficiaries needing portable ultrasound exams and healthcare providers (like mobile clinics) who offer these services. The bill mandates that Medicare pay separately for portable ultrasound transportation and setup in the same way and to the same extent as portable X-ray services, using similar supplier requirements as existing regulations. The policy change would take effect for services provided on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare Telehealth

in committee · United States · House Jul 16, 2025

HR 4473: BIRD Health Act of 2025

HR 4473, the BIRD Health Act of 2025, establishes a new U.S.-Israel bilateral program to fund joint research and development of health technologies. It directly affects U.S. and Israeli health institutions, companies, and academic organizations by providing $10 million annually (2026-2032) for collaborative projects in medical devices, telemedicine, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, genomics, and infectious disease prevention. Key provisions include funding for R&D, commercialization support, health system strengthening, and joint manufacturing of biological products, with projects selected based on innovation, commercial potential, and partnership strength. The program will be administered by the existing BIRD Foundation under U.S. Health and Human Services oversight, aiming to accelerate health technology development and deployment through U.S.-Israel collaboration.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Public Health Telehealth

in committee · United States · House Jun 25, 2025

HR 4120: Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2025

HR 4120, the *Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2025*, provides federal funding to improve mental health support for school staff. It allocates $35 million annually (2026-2028) for grants to schools, colleges, and state agencies to create or expand proven programs - like peer support networks, suicide prevention training, and telehealth access - to address mental health and substance use concerns among educators. The bill also authorizes $10 million for a national awareness campaign to reduce stigma and encourage staff to seek care. It requires annual reporting on program outcomes and a federal review of mental health barriers, but does not directly affect students or parents.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health Telehealth

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 11, 2025

S 958: Tech to Save Moms Act

The Tech to Save Moms Act expands access to telehealth for pregnant and postpartum individuals in underserved communities by allowing remote screening and management of pregnancy complications through digital tools. It authorizes $6 million annually (2026-2030) for grants to train maternal health providers on reducing racial disparities, using telehealth during emergencies, and addressing social health risks. The grants prioritize health professional shortage areas, rural communities, and populations with high maternal mortality rates, requiring grantees to evaluate outcomes and develop best practices. The bill also mandates a study on AI and monitoring devices to address racial biases in maternal health technology.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Telehealth Women's Health Artificial Intelligence

in committee · United States · House Feb 27, 2025

HR 1649: Expanding Student Access to Mental Health Services Act

HR 1649, the Expanding Student Access to Mental Health Services Act, amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to allow states and school districts to use existing federal funds for student mental health services. It directs states to support mental health by identifying best practices for mental health first aid, establishing school emergency response teams, coordinating with local health providers, and expanding telehealth access. School districts must now specify how they will use funds for these mental health activities in their grant applications. The bill also permits schools to use technology infrastructure for mental health services without counting against separate technology funding limits.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health Telehealth

in committee · United States · House Feb 27, 2025

HR 1720: Hospice Recertification Flexibility Act

The Hospice Recertification Flexibility Act extends the ability for hospice providers to use telehealth for patient recertifications (verifying ongoing eligibility for hospice care) until December 31, 2027, instead of ending in March 2025. It specifies that telehealth recertifications will not apply in certain cases starting January 1, 2026, such as when patients are in areas with a hospice enrollment moratorium or when providers are under enhanced oversight. The bill also requires hospice claims for telehealth recertifications on or after January 1, 2026, to include a specific modifier or code indicating the telehealth encounter. This change directly affects hospice providers and their patients by modifying how remote eligibility checks are processed under Medicare.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health Healthcare Workforce Telehealth

in committee · United States · House Nov 25, 2025

HR 6296: Advancing Access to Telehealth Act

The Advancing Access to Telehealth Act makes permanent Medicare's temporary telehealth flexibilities that were expanded during the public health emergency. It allows Medicare beneficiaries to receive telehealth services for mental health, stroke care, substance use disorder, and home dialysis without needing an initial in-person visit. The bill also expands eligibility for telehealth providers to include more healthcare professionals and permanently authorizes Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics to offer telehealth services. Additionally, it permits audio-only telehealth calls for certain services, removing previous video-only requirements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Medicare Mental Health Telehealth

in committee · United States · House Mar 3, 2025

HR 1775: Second Chances for Rural Hospitals Act

This bill expands Medicare's definition of "rural emergency hospital" to allow certain closed rural hospitals to rejoin the program. Specifically, it creates a new eligibility category for facilities that were critical access hospitals or rural hospitals (under Section 1886(d)) in rural counties, ceased operations between January 2014 and December 2020, and submit an application to become rural emergency hospitals. The bill modifies Medicare payment rules to provide specific adjustments for these reactivated facilities, including distance requirements (e.g., hospitals within 35 miles of another hospital won't receive immediate payment increases). The changes take effect January 1, 2027, directly affecting rural hospitals that closed during the specified period and wish to rejoin Medicare.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicare Telehealth Tags Rural Communities

in committee · United States · House May 14, 2026

HR 6652: U.S. Vets of the FAS Act

HR 6652, the "U.S. Vets of the FAS Act," requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide telehealth services and mail-order pharmacy deliveries to veterans residing in the Freely Associated States (FAS) - which include the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau. The bill mandates the VA to establish agreements with FAS governments within one year of enactment and begin offering these services within the same timeframe. It also modifies travel payment rules to require VA to cover beneficiary travel costs starting one year after enactment. The VA must report quarterly on implementation progress and costs to Congress until agreements are finalized and services launched. This bill directly affects veterans in FAS territories and VA operations related to their healthcare access.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Telehealth Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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