CTeL Members Storm Capitol Hill: Charting the Course for Digital Health's Future
Today, June 10, 2025, the Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law (CTeL) is making its presence felt on Capitol Hill, as its dedicated members engage in a crucial series of meetings with key legislative offices. Their mission: to advocate for robust policies that will not only sustain the advancements made in digital health but also propel them forward, ensuring accessible, high-quality care for all Americans.
The energy in Washington D.C. is palpable as CTeL members, representing the forefront of digital health innovation, are directly addressing influential lawmakers and their staff. These aren't just polite introductions; they are in-depth discussions aimed at forging bipartisan solutions to critical issues. Among the many pivotal meetings happening today are those with:
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA)
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH)
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)
Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA)
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA)
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA)
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK)
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL)
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY)
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN)
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Lt. Gov. Jon Husted (R-OH)
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA)
Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-CA)
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA)
Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC)
David McCormick (R-PA)
Rep. John R. Curtis (R-UT)
Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK)
Ashley Moody (R-FL)
Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY)
Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN)
Rep. Jennifer L. McClellan (D-VA)
Rep. John J. McGuire III (R-VA)
Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA)
Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH)
Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX)
Rep. Richard McCormick (R-GA)
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA)
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA)
Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH)
Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA)
Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC)
Rep. Christopher R. Deluzio (D-PA)
Rep. Blake D. Moore (R-UT)
Rep. Stephanie I. Bice (R-OK)
Rep. Summer L. Lee (D-PA)
Rep. John H. Rutherford (R-FL)
Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX)
Rep. Hakeem S. Jeffries (D-NY)
Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY)
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
These direct engagements are critical for educating lawmakers on the intricacies of digital health and the immediate need for supportive legislation.
Championing Key Digital Health Initiatives
CTeL members are advocating for several pivotal issues, each with direct implications for patient care and the future of healthcare delivery:
Securing Permanent Telehealth Access: While the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency waivers offered vital flexibility, CTeL is pushing for the permanent removal of geographic and originating site restrictions for Medicare beneficiaries. This aligns with the goals of legislation like the Telehealth Modernization Act, which seeks to solidify telehealth as a permanent fixture in healthcare delivery. The current extensions through September 30, 2025, provided by the "Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025," are a temporary reprieve, but CTeL emphasizes that long-term certainty is essential for providers and patients.
Eliminating Restrictive Facility Fees: A key concern is the practice of levying facility fees for telehealth services, which can negate the cost-saving benefits of virtual care and increase patient burden. CTeL is working to ensure that Medicare's current originating site facility fee ($31.01 for CY 2025) is re-evaluated, and that policy changes discourage the imposition of such fees when a patient is receiving care remotely from their home. This involves advocating for comprehensive payment reform that acknowledges the distinct nature of virtual care.
Promoting Data-Driven Telehealth Policy: CTeL stresses the importance of robust data collection and analysis to demonstrate the long-term efficacy and cost-effectiveness of telehealth. This includes advocating for legislative directives that mandate ongoing research and evaluation of telehealth outcomes, ensuring that future policy decisions are based on solid evidence and not just anecdotal observations. This emphasis on data is crucial for demonstrating the true value of telehealth and ensuring its sustainable integration into the healthcare system.
Ensuring Ethical AI Deployment in Healthcare: As artificial intelligence rapidly integrates into healthcare, CTeL is championing a proactive approach to regulation. This includes advocating for legislation that addresses algorithmic bias, promotes transparency in AI decision-making (as seen in some state-level bills on AI transparency), and establishes clear oversight mechanisms for AI systems in clinical practice. Bills like the Healthy Technology Act of 2025 (H.R. 238), which explores AI's role in prescribing, highlight the need for careful consideration of ethical guidelines and regulatory frameworks. CTeL is committed to ensuring AI augments, rather than replaces, human judgment in healthcare.
Removing Barriers to Virtual Behavioral Health: Recognizing the ongoing mental health crisis, CTeL is strongly advocating for the permanent elimination of in-person visit requirements for virtual behavioral health services. This is a critical step to ensure that individuals can access timely and convenient mental healthcare, reducing stigma and improving outcomes. The extension of audio-only telehealth options for behavioral health through September 30, 2025, is a positive development, but CTeL aims for a permanent solution.
Advancing Interoperability and Digital Health Infrastructure: Beyond individual services, CTeL is advocating for policies that promote seamless data exchange and robust digital health infrastructure. This includes supporting initiatives that encourage the adoption of standardized health information technology and ensure that telehealth platforms are secure, interoperable, and patient-centered.
Today's Capitol Hill Day signifies CTeL's unwavering dedication to shaping a healthcare system that is responsive, equitable, and leverages the full potential of digital innovation. By directly engaging with the legislative process, CTeL members are working to secure a future where telehealth and e-health are not just options, but integral components of comprehensive healthcare delivery for all Americans. The outcomes of these vital discussions will undoubtedly impact millions of lives and set the trajectory for healthcare innovation in the years to come.