S.1261 - Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2025; CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 (S.1261) aims to expand access to telehealth services under Medicare by removing geographic restrictions, expanding originating sites, and broadening the scope of practitioners eligible to furnish telehealth. It also addresses program integrity by clarifying fraud and abuse laws, providing resources for oversight, and identifying outlier billing patterns. The Act further seeks to improve beneficiary and provider supports, ensure the inclusion of telehealth in quality of care measurements, and mandate the posting of information on telehealth services.
Expected Effects
This act will likely lead to increased utilization of telehealth services, particularly in rural and underserved areas. It will also require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement new regulations and oversight mechanisms to ensure appropriate use and prevent fraud. The act also mandates studies and reports to assess the impact of telehealth on various aspects of healthcare delivery and outcomes.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to healthcare for individuals in rural and underserved areas.
- Greater convenience and flexibility for patients, reducing the need for travel.
- Potential for improved health outcomes through timely access to care.
- Enhanced support for beneficiaries and providers through resources and training.
- Modernization of healthcare delivery by integrating technology.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased costs due to expanded service coverage.
- Risk of fraud and abuse related to telehealth billing.
- Challenges in ensuring quality of care and patient safety in remote settings.
- Digital divide may limit access for some populations.
- Increased administrative burden for healthcare providers.
Constitutional Alignment
The CONNECT for Health Act appears to align with the Constitution's broad mandate to "promote the general Welfare" (Preamble). It does so by expanding healthcare access and modernizing service delivery. The Act's provisions do not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or state powers reserved by the Tenth Amendment. However, the expansion of federal healthcare programs could raise questions about the scope of federal power under the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8).
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).