Congress advances telehealth bill, which would allow access to care beyond COVID

Senior man consulting with doctor on video call. .

A bill supporting continued access to telehealth benefits for workers is working its way through Congress, with the House Education and the Workforce Committee the latest body to advance the proposed legislation. The Telehealth Benefit Expansion for Workers Act of 2023, which boasts bipartisan support, would allow employers to offer standalone telehealth coverage while helping alleviate provider shortages, increase access to mental health services, lower the cost of care for patients by widening provider networks, and provide timely access to medical care to individuals in rural areas. The bill also would include telehealth access for part-time, seasonal, and contracted workers.

“This legislation will enable millions of American workers who gained access to new telehealth benefits during the pandemic to maintain access to affordable, high-quality care for themselves and their families,” Kyle Zebley, senior vice president of public policy for the American Telemedicine Association.