Reps. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) have introduced the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2025 in the House of Representatives. The proposed legislation aims to extend telehealth flexibilities for Medicare beneficiaries 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 similar bill is being led in the Senate 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.
Rep. Carter has consistently secured re-election since first winning his seat in 2014 against Brian Reese with nearly 61% of the vote. He maintained similar margins in subsequent elections: defeating Joyce Griggs in 2020 with over 58%, Lisa Ring in 2018 with almost 58%, Wade Herring in 2022 with just over 59%, and Patti Hewitt in 2024 with about 62%.
The full text of the bill as well as a section-by-section summary are available online.
