Carter Introduces Bill Extending Telehealth Access for Patients

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Reps. Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) today introduced the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2025, a bill to extend telehealth flexibilities for seniors on Medicare through fiscal year 2027.

"Telehealth is a vital part of our health care system, and we must ensure that it is available to patients who need it. By extending telehealth flexibilities for patients, we are making health care more accessible, regardless of their physical location. As a pharmacist, one of my top priorities has been increasing the accessibility and quality of health care; this bill does both, in a bipartisan manner, and paves the way for more patients and providers to use 21st century technology," said Rep. Carter.

"Telehealth services are an essential part of our healthcare system. It is a fact that having to physically travel to a doctor's office or hospital can present a serious barrier to care for seniors, people with disabilities, and people who live in rural areas that are far from a health care provider. Telehealth worked during COVID and should be available and more widely adopted. The Telehealth Modernization Act takes us one step closer to protecting and expanding access to telehealth for Americans who depend on it," said Rep. Dingell.

A Senate companion bill is being led by Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Brian Schatz (D-HI).

"This comprehensive legislation advances many of ATA Action's top priorities including an extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities, the Acute Hospital Care at Home Program, the in-home cardiopulmonary rehabilitation flexibilities, temporary expansion of the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program to allow virtual only suppliers to participate through 2030, and implementation of the SPEAK Act to improve telehealth delivery for individuals with limited English proficiency. It's a strong step toward expanding access, improving care, and modernizing how services are delivered across the country. This signifies a pivotal moment for the industry - demonstrating that these policies work in concert and that telehealth plays an essential role across the full spectrum of the healthcare system," said Kyle Zebley, Executive Director, ATA Action & Senior Vice President of Public Policy, ATA

Read the full bill text here.

Read the section-by-section here.

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