ATA ACTION COMMENTS ON FY26 MINIBUS FUNDING PACKAGE, INCLUDING TWO-YEAR TELEHEALTH EXTENSION AND OTHER CRITICAL PROVISIONS
WASHINGTON, DC, JANUARY 20, 2026 – ATA Action, the affiliated policy and legislative advocacy arm of the American Telemedicine Association, comments on a new bipartisan three-bill FY26 funding package released this morning by the House Appropriations Committee, that includes several critical telehealth provisions, and also covers Labor, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Education, Defense, and Transportation legislation.
“We’ve seen before that even strong, bipartisan proposals can face unexpected hurdles late in
the process, which is why it’s important not to take any outcome for granted when it comes to Congressional legislation,” said Alexis Apple, deputy executive director, ATA Action and vice president of federal affairs at the ATA. “This momentum is real and meaningful, and it is a very good sign that telehealth provisions continue to advance with bipartisan support. We are optimistic this legislation can move forward, as it includes a number of strong bipartisan priorities and is not tied to the more partisan homeland security funding debate currently underway.”
Critical telehealth extensions included in this “minibus:
- Extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027.
- Five-year extension of the Acute Hospital Care at Home Program through September 30, 2030.
- Extension of in-home cardiopulmonary rehabilitation flexibilities through January 1, 2028.
- Enhancements to certain durable medical equipment (DME) requirements under Medicare.
- Requirement that HHS issue guidance within one year on furnishing telehealth services to individuals with limited English proficiency.
- Inclusion of virtual diabetes suppliers in the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program through December 31, 2029.
“While this package does not provide a permanent solution, it represents a significant win for ATA Action and for patients who rely on telehealth services across the country,” added Apple. “We are urging strong, swift action now, and we will continue pressing until this package is enacted. We are counting on our bipartisan, bicameral telehealth policy champions in Congress, and the continued strong support by President Trump and throughout his Administration, to pass this landmark legislation that would effectively enact years-long extensions to these critical telehealth provisions and ensure continued access to telehealth services for patients and providers without disruption.”
About ATA Action
Founded in 2022, ATA Action is the leading advocacy organization dedicated to advancing policy and accelerating the adoption of technology-enabled healthcare. Working collaboratively with federal and state legislators and policymakers, ATA Action drives industry momentum by influencing legislative and regulatory developments in telehealth, virtual care, remote patient monitoring, artificial intelligence in health, health data privacy, private sector healthcare investment, and more. Representing a diverse membership – including hospital systems, technology companies, professional associations, direct-to-consumer digital health providers, payers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, digital therapeutics developers, and remote monitoring organizations – ATA Action facilitates member-led coalitions focused on initiatives such as Advancing Digital Health and Prescription Drug Use-Related Software (PDURS), Virtual Foodcare, and Cross State Care.
ATA Action is a registered 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade organization engaged in lobbying efforts to shape industry-related legislation and serves as an affiliated trade association of the American Telemedicine Association (ATA). The ATA, a 501(c)(3) entity, is recognized for its leadership in advancing innovation and leading transformation in virtual care, digital health, hybrid care, artificial intelligence, and next generation connected care.
