This resolution supports designating Telehealth Awareness Week and urges Congress to make expanded telehealth flexibilities permanent beyond September 30, 2025.
Earl "Buddy" Carter
Representative
GA-1
This resolution officially supports designating September 14–20, 2025, as "Telehealth Awareness Week." It recognizes the vital role remote healthcare has played, especially for millions of Medicare users. The bill strongly urges Congress to make permanent the expanded telehealth access rules currently set to expire in September 2025.
Congress Pushes to Keep Telehealth Options Open Past 2025 Expiration Date
This resolution is essentially Congress giving a big thumbs-up to designating the week of September 14 through September 20, 2025, as "Telehealth Awareness Week." But let’s be real, the awareness week is the appetizer; the main course is the push to make sure remote healthcare options—which exploded during the pandemic—don’t disappear when their temporary permissions expire on September 30, 2025.
The Real-World Stakes: Why Your Doctor’s Zoom Call Matters
For anyone who has used a video appointment or a phone call to talk to a doctor lately, this resolution is about keeping that convenience permanent. It cites the fact that about 6.7 million unique Medicare users—that’s roughly a quarter of all fee-for-service beneficiaries—used telehealth in 2024. That’s a 24% jump from pre-pandemic levels, showing that patients and providers have integrated this into their routines. This isn't just about convenience for people living in cities; it's critical for folks in rural areas who might otherwise face a two-hour drive for a quick follow-up appointment.
Access for All: Protecting the Phone Call Option
One key detail the resolution highlights is that people with disabilities, particularly those with multiple disabilities, are more likely to rely on audio-only telehealth options. Think about that: for someone who may have difficulty with technology, poor internet access, or mobility issues, a simple phone call with their provider is a lifeline. By urging Congress to keep the current flexibilities going, this resolution is directly advocating for continued access for some of the most vulnerable patients, ensuring that necessary care doesn't become impossible just because a temporary rule expired.
The Call to Action: Making Temporary Permanent
While this resolution is non-binding—meaning it doesn't change the law itself—it sends a strong signal that the House wants to see the expanded telehealth rules made permanent. It urges Congress to take steps to ensure that everyone, across all communities and settings, can continue to access these services after the September 30, 2025, deadline. Essentially, it’s a policy memo saying, “We tested this, it worked, and we shouldn’t let the clock run out on good healthcare access.” It also calls for agencies to collect data and share resources, which is the necessary homework to make sure the permanent policies are built on solid evidence rather than just hope.