Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Reps. Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Mike Kelly (R-PA), and Mike Thompson (D-CA) reintroduced the Home Health Emergency Access to Telehealth (HEAT) Act, a bipartisan bill to provide Medicare reimbursement for audio and video telehealth services furnished by home health agencies during the COVID-19 emergency and future public health emergencies. U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. 

“Over the past year, telehealth and home health have allowed American seniors to get the care they need from the comfort and safety of their homes,” said Rep. Arrington. “This legislation will bolster access to these services during public health emergencies, giving peace of mind to our seniors, and certainty to our providers.” 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear just how critical home health and telehealth services are to the well-being of our communities, especially those in rural areas,” said Rep. Sewell. “I am proud to support this bill to improve access to vital telehealth services. It is critically important that we ensure these costs are reimbursed by Medicare now so that we are better prepared for future public health emergencies.”

“The rapid implementation of virtual access to doctors and other trained medical professionals throughout the pandemic has changed rural health care for the better,” said Rep. Kelly. “This bill builds on those successes and ensures appropriate reimbursements for those vital services.  I am proud to introduce this legislation with my colleagues in the 117th Congress.”

“The Coronavirus pandemic has only increased the importance of telehealth, a practice that has long been proven to be effective and cost efficient,” said Rep. Thompson. “That’s why I’m proud to coauthor the Home Health Emergency Access to Telehealth Act, a bipartisan and bicameral bill that ensures that home health agencies can provide telehealth services for patients during public health emergencies such as COVID-19.”

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Congressman Jodey Arrington is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives serving the Nineteenth Congressional District of Texas. He serves as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.