Nunn Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Make Rural Telehealth Expansions Permanent

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representatives Zach Nunn (IA-03) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) introduced the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act , bipartisan legislation to permanently extend critical Medicare telehealth flexibilities for rural communities.

"Telehealth is a lifeline for rural Iowans," said Rep. Nunn . "By making these flexibilities permanent, we're cutting travel time, supporting rural providers, and ensuring patients receive quality care when and where they need it. This is a bipartisan, practical fix that puts rural communities first."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary expansions proved essential for rural seniors, veterans, and vulnerable Iowa patients. This legislation would make those successful reforms permanent by modernizing outdated Medicare rules, expanding access to care, and providing certainty for patients and providers alike.

"Telehealth enables Granite Staters to virtually access the right care at the right time while saving them both time and money," said Rep. Pappas . "Making coverage of telehealth services permanent is a practical proposal that benefits patients and providers alike. I'll continue pushing to protect and expand access to health care."

Specifically, the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act would:

• Permanently remove geographic and originating site restrictions, allowing Medicare beneficiaries to receive telehealth services from home
• Allow Critical Access Hospitals to directly bill Medicare for telehealth services
• Authorize Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers to serve as distant-site providers
• Expand coverage of audio-only services for evaluation, management, and behavioral health care
• Lift restrictions on store-and-forward technology currently limited to Alaska and Hawaii

By permanently extending these reforms, the legislation ensures rural Americans have reliable access to care-without unnecessary travel, delays, or red tape.

Text of the bill can be found here .

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