CRITICAL TELEHEALTH PROVISIONS IN DANGER OF FALLING VICTIM TO UNRELATED PARTISAN DEBATE, DESPITE STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN CONGRESS

WASHINGTON, DC, JANUARY 28, 2026 – ATA Action, the affiliated policy and legislative advocacy arm of the American Telemedicine Association, is again urging Congress to act quickly to avert a telehealth shutdown on January 30, 2026, when the Medicare telehealth waivers and Acute Hospital Care at Home Program are set to expire.

“Telehealth has seen strong bipartisan support since President Trump enacted waivers to expand access to virtual care services during the pandemic. Policymakers view telehealth as a long-term solution for our nation’s healthcare challenges, with clinicians and patients embracing telehealth as an indispensable way to access quality care, and data continues to show the benefits of these technology-enabled services,” said Alexis Apple, deputy executive director of ATA Action and vice president of public affairs at the ATA. “Yet, despite unprecedented support across the board, telehealth is in jeopardy of falling victim to partisan debate.

“If Congress allows expiration of these critical services as part of another government shutdown, it will again cause major disruption, particularly as many patients, healthcare providers, and hospital systems have not fully recovered from the October shutdown. Our most vulnerable patients who have integrated these models into their ongoing care – including millions of Medicare beneficiaries, individuals in rural areas, and those with mobility challenges – would suddenly lose access to virtual care and hospital at home services that have become standard practice,” Apple added. “We implore Congress to find a solution to extend these vital services before Friday’s deadline, to ensure continued access to telehealth services for patients and providers without disruption.”

Critical, years-long telehealth extensions included in the “minibus” approved by the House last week includes a number of strong bipartisan priorities and is not tied to the more partisan homeland security funding debate:

• 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.

“Ongoing uncertainties and looming threats of disruptions in care are causing harm to patients and our struggling healthcare system – all of which can be avoided,” said Apple. “Americans need our leaders in Washington to separate essential healthcare services from partisan issues and take immediate action to extend the telehealth flexibilities for as long as possible.”

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.