Thompson, Kuster Introduce Legislation Promoting Rural Telehealth Services

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representatives Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15) and Ann Kuster (NH-02), introduced the bipartisan Helping Ensure Access to Local TeleHealth, or the HEALTH Act, as part of National Telehealth Awareness Week. This legislation secures Medicare reimbursement for telehealth services provided by community health centers and rural health clinics. It will continue to allow providers to utilize audio-only telehealth visits for patients who do not have access to broadband services.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth has added tremendous reach and value to communities across the country, especially in rural America. The HEALTH Act builds upon previously enacted provisions in the COVID-19 relief packages and provides access to vital health care services for more seniors, regardless of their geographic location.

"As a former health care professional, who spent nearly 30 years serving rural populations, I am amazed at how telehealth makes life simpler for rural and underserved communities— and in particular their older residents," Rep. Thompson said. "Continued use and promotion of these services will improve health equity by increasing access to care for our most vulnerable, especially in rural communities. The HEALTH Act cuts red tape and permanently allows community health centers and rural health clinics to provide telehealth services to their patients."
 
“For states like New Hampshire, community and rural health centers play a critical role in providing accessible and affordable health care,” Rep. Kuster said. “This bipartisan legislation will allow community health clinics to continue to support rural residents and provide necessary audio-only health care options to patients without broadband services. By expanding access to virtual care for Medicare beneficiaries, we can ensure even our most rural communities receive the support they need to thrive.”
 
“As the nation’s largest network of primary care providers, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) provide a wide array of services in underserved areas of the country, both rural and urban," said Cheri Rinehart, President and CEO of Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC). "The ability to use telehealth throughout and after the pandemic has clearly demonstrated how vital telehealth is in improving health equity by increasing access to care for the vulnerable populations FQHCs serve and contributing to positive outcomes. Telehealth must remain an available service to ensure continued access to critical primary and behavioral health care services.”
 
“Telehealth is now a key component of outpatient care,” said Nathan Baugh, Executive Director of the National Association of Rural Health Clinics. “Unfortunately, our nation’s safety-net providers are currently disincentivized by Medicare policy from investing in their telehealth offerings. While our peers in the traditional office setting receive payment parity between in-person and telehealth services, RHCs and FQHCs lose money every time they offer a telehealth service that might have been done in person. The HEALTH Act ensures that safety-net providers and the communities they serve will be able to participate fairly and fully in the growing telehealth market.”
 
“We appreciate Representative Thompson and Kuster’s leadership in helping health centers maintain the incredible increase in access to care via telehealth that was jumpstarted during the pandemic,” said Kyu Rhee, MD, MPP, President and CEO of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). “Health centers need long-term stability in reimbursement for telehealth services to continue providing high-quality care to their patients, especially those who have limited transportation options.”
 
“Bi-State greatly appreciates Representative Thompson and Kuster’s leadership in reintroducing the HEALTH Act, which will remove burdensome geographic restrictions and permanently allow Community Health Centers to provide telehealth services to their patients, as they have done for the past three years. We are grateful for the Congresswoman’s commitment to New Hampshire Community Health Centers and patients who rely on access to telehealth services, including audio-only services,” said Tess Kuenning, President & CEO, Bi-State Primary Care Association.

This legislation is also supported by the American Telemedicine Association.
 
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