MATSUI STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF BIPARTISAN TELEHEALTH LEGISLATION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 4040, the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID–19 Act of 2022.

“Over the course of the pandemic, telehealth has played a vital role in our health care system – improving access to care and creating virtual bridges that connect patients and providers in communities across the nation,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “While California has long been a leader in telehealth, we can see clearly today just how important federal policy changes were to drive the rapid adoption and growth of telehealth during the pandemic. Policies expanding telehealth access not only enhanced when and where health services were available, but they also allowed providers to deliver care by video and by phone, leveraging all tools available to best support patients’ needs. As we look towards post-pandemic health delivery, it is important that we give our health care community certainty that telehealth is here to stay. That is why I am proud to have cosponsored and voted in support of this bipartisan telehealth bill that ensures that we can build upon this progress well into the future.” 

“For many years, championing legislation that removes barriers to telehealth had been a top priority in my efforts to expand access and improve the quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries,” Matsui continued. “This legislation continues to move us in the right direction, showing strong bipartisan support for expanding the use of telehealth far and wide. Next, we must seize the opportunity to permanently secure these policies. We have far more than just a foundation for telehealth now – we have a nation relying on these services. I will continue to work hard to ensure that all Americans have access to safe, convenient, and quality health care that’s right for them, when and where they need it.”

Congresswoman Matsui has long led efforts to harness the power of technology to improve our health care system, including expanding access to telehealth services in the Medicare program. The Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID–19 Act of 2022 includes provisions based on policies from several bills sponsored and co-led by Congresswoman Matsui, including delaying the in-person requirement for telemental health services (The Telemental Health Care Access Act), allowing Medicare beneficiaries to receive telehealth services from any locations, including their home, and allowing for more types of providers such a Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to provide telehealth under Medicare (The CONNECT for Health Act) through the end of 2024, following the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

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