Bipartisan Senate Resolution Highlights Growing Support for Telehealth Expansion
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S.Senate has passed a resolution affirming bipartisan support for expanding access to telehealth services across the country, particularly for individuals in rural and underserved communities. The resolution was spearheaded by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), and received backing from a diverse group including Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Peter Welch (D-VT), and John Barrasso (R-WY).
The resolution acknowledges the increasing importance of telehealth, noting that 25% of Medicare beneficiaries utilized these services at least once in 2024, with nearly 90% reporting satisfaction. It emphasizes telehealth’s role in providing cost-effective and convenient healthcare access, especially for those facing geographical barriers or time constraints.
“Telehealth helps people access quality health care when and where they need it, and our resolution highlights the broad, bipartisan support for raising awareness of and expanding access to telehealth,” stated Senator Schatz, co-chair of the Senate Telehealth Working Group.
Senator Wicker echoed this sentiment, highlighting telehealth as “a cost-effective way for people in rural and underserved areas to access quality health care.”
senators from states with notable rural populations underscored the impact of telehealth on their constituents. Senator Warner of Virginia noted telehealth’s ability to connect rural communities with specialists, while Senator Hyde-Smith of Mississippi described it as a “lifeline” for those with limited access to care.Senator Welch of Vermont emphasized telehealth’s essential role in providing healthcare across the country, particularly in underserved areas. Senator Barrasso of Wyoming highlighted the technology’s value in delivering high-quality care to frontier communities.
The resolution aims to unite patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders in advancing the role of telehealth. it also supports the ongoing efforts to make telehealth flexibilities permanent.
Senator Schatz is also leading efforts to expand telehealth access through the CONNECT for Health Act, comprehensive bipartisan legislation that has seen several provisions enacted into law since its initial introduction in 2016.
The full text of the resolution is available here. The passage of this resolution signifies a continued commitment from the Senate to prioritize and expand telehealth services for all Americans.
