AHA supports extending telehealth, hospital-at-home flexibilities

The American Hospital Association this week called for telehealth and hospital-at-home programs to continue, saying they have expanded access to care. In a statement submitted to a House Ways and Means Committee hearing, the AHA called for Congress to extend the hospital-at-home program and permanently adopt telehealth waivers. The association noted the bipartisan CONNECT for Health Act (H.R. 4189/S. 2016) would address many of its concerns. Among other actions, the AHA urged the committee to eliminate originating site restrictions to enable all Medicare beneficiaries to access services regardless of where they and their providers are physically located and include Medicare coverage and payment for audio-only services. The AHA also said Congress should streamline licensure processes for providers employed by hospitals who operate across state lines. (AHA News article, 3/12/24)