U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, alongside 232 bipartisan House members, recently spearheaded a call to action, urging House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to address the imminent 2.8% reduction in reimbursement rates for physicians participating in Medicare. The proposed cuts, scheduled to take effect in January 2025 under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) CY2025 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), threaten not only the financial stability of healthcare providers but also patient access to essential services, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare has presented both exciting opportunities and serious challenges. AI-driven tools are increasingly being used to assist in everything from diagnostics to clinical decision-making, with the potential to revolutionize patient care. However, a recent study published in JAMA underscores the critical importance of continuous AI evaluation. While AI has demonstrated its ability to streamline workflows and improve outcomes, the study highlights the necessity of regularly reassessing AI systems to ensure their long-term efficacy, safety, and fairness.

In a continued effort to safeguard patient access to essential telemedicine services, a bipartisan group of congressional leaders, led by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Congressman Buddy Carter (R-GA), has sent a letter urging the DEA to extend telemedicine prescribing flexibilities beyond the December 31, 2024 deadline. These flexibilities were first introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling healthcare providers to prescribe controlled substances remotely, significantly improving access to care for patients who face barriers to in-person visits.

On October 10th, the world comes together to recognize World Mental Health Day, a global initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness of mental health issues and mobilize efforts in support of mental well-being. This year's theme focuses on “Mental Health for All: Greater Access, Greater Care,” shining a spotlight on the critical need for improved mental health services globally.

As we celebrate World Mental Health Day on October 10th, it’s essential to highlight the impact of telehealth on mental health care access, especially as temporary waivers that expanded telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic are set to expire. Telehealth played a critical role in increasing access to care, especially for individuals who faced barriers to in-person visits. However, the expiration of these waivers could drastically reduce access to life-saving mental health services, leading to severe consequences for patients across the country.

In the face of these challenges, telehealth has emerged as a critical tool in maintaining access to healthcare, even when patients are unable to physically visit a healthcare provider. This is particularly true in the realm of mental health care, where continued access to therapeutic services, support, and even medications can be lifesaving.

Each year on October 10th, the global community observes World Mental Health Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness and driving efforts to improve mental health care worldwide. In 2024, the importance of mental health services is more critical than ever, especially as we confront the ongoing challenges of access to care. For millions of Americans, telehealth has become a lifeline—especially for those seeking therapy and essential medications like buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. However, as we mark this important day, looming changes to telehealth regulations threaten to dismantle the progress made during the pandemic.

As we approach the end of 2024, a ticking clock threatens the healthcare access of millions of Americans. Unless swift action is taken, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) temporary telehealth flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances will expire at the end of this year. This change would have a profound and negative impact on patients who have come to rely on telemedicine for critical treatments, including medications for chronic pain, mental health, and substance use disorders.

In response to this impending crisis, the Center for Telehealth & e-Health Law (CTeL) and other healthcare organizations have called on Congress to act, sending a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The message is clear: without legislative intervention, millions of patients could lose access to essential medications.

Advancing Telehealth Access Nationwide: CTeL Urges Support for Washington State’s Telehealth Licensure Policy

Today, CTeL issued a call to action for national and state organizations, including the National Governors Association (NGA) and Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), to support Washington State’s Uniform Telehealth Act (SB 5481). This groundbreaking policy, enacted in June 2024, allows out-of-state clinicians with valid licenses to provide critical telehealth services to patients in Washington, expanding access to specialized care.

CTeL Executive Director Christa Natoli highlights this law as a model for the nation:
"Washington’s policy enables patients to maintain relationships with out-of-state specialists and continue receiving life-saving care. Expanding similar frameworks across the country will ensure access to high-quality healthcare for all."

CTeL is urging leaders to take action and adopt policies that ensure continuity of care, protect patient safety, and enhance telehealth innovation. Let's work together to break down barriers and build a healthcare system that works for everyone.

The recent report from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General (OIG) has sparked concern and chatter about potential fraud, waste, and abuse in remote physiologic monitoring (RPM) practices. While the report underscores valid points about billing and transparency, we mustn't let fears of fraud overshadow the transformative potential of RPM. Instead, we must focus on enhancing the system to prevent fraud while continuing to provide quality care to patients.

The healthcare industry is facing an unprecedented emergency. Nursing shortages have placed an unbearable strain on hospitals and care facilities nationwide, with entire communities now feeling the consequences. In Alabama, CitiHealth Hospital in Oneonta was forced to suspend operations—closing its doors—not because of financial struggles, but because there simply weren’t enough nurses to provide care. This is not a one-off incident; across the U.S., the healthcare system is buckling under the weight of this crisis. Nurses are leaving the workforce in droves, with too few entering the profession to replace them.

Access to maternal healthcare in the United States remains an urgent public health issue, as highlighted by March of Dimes in their 2024 report, Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the US. The report exposes the extent of maternal care deserts—areas with limited or no access to maternity services—and underscores the growing need for collaboration between policymakers, healthcare providers, and community leaders to address this alarming crisis. One of the key solutions proposed to bridge this gap is the use of telehealth to expand access to care for those living in underserved areas.

The Telehealth Modernization Act represents a pivotal effort to expand and integrate telehealth into the U.S. healthcare system. Originally sparked by the need to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic, this legislation has evolved to address longstanding limitations in telehealth access. Below, we explore the history and significance of this act and its role in shaping the future of healthcare delivery.

On September 9, 2024, the White House announced the issuance of final rules, jointly filed by the Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Internal Revenue Service, to implement critical parts of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. These rules aim to ensure equal access to mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) care, aligning it with the access provided for medical and surgical treatments.

The expiration of telehealth waivers for prescribing controlled substances on December 31, 2024, is a critical policy shift that could impact mental health care access and suicide prevention efforts, particularly in vulnerable populations. Findings from a recent research report emphasize the importance of three county-level factors—health insurance coverage, broadband Internet access, and household income—in relation to suicide rates. The expiration of these waivers raises concerns, as these factors align closely with access to telehealth services, including the prescription of controlled substances that are often crucial in mental health treatment.

In a letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law (CTeL) warned of the financial and clinical impacts of reduced telehealth access.