Congress Designates September 14-20, 2025, as 'Telehealth Awareness Week'

This resolution, which is non-binding, officially designates the week of September 14 through September 20, 2025, as "Telehealth Awareness Week." Essentially, Congress is using this measure to give a formal nod to the growing importance of remote healthcare services—think video doctor visits and remote monitoring—and encourage everyone to pay attention to how it’s changing the game. This isn't a new law with funding attached; it's a symbolic move to highlight what has become a critical part of the healthcare system.

The Remote Revolution

For anyone balancing a demanding job, childcare, or a long commute, telehealth has been a game-changer. The resolution points out that before 2020, hardly anyone used these services, but by 2024, a quarter of all Medicare recipients had used a telehealth visit. That’s a massive shift, and the data suggests it’s working: about 90 percent of Medicare patients who used remote care in 2023 were satisfied. This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about access. For instance, half of all common psychotherapy services covered by Medicare in 2022 were delivered via telehealth, proving its essential role in mental health access, especially when finding a local specialist can be tough.

Access for the Underserved

One of the biggest takeaways from this resolution is the recognition that telehealth is often the only viable option for people in rural areas or those served by federally qualified health centers. Imagine you live two hours from the nearest specialist; a video call isn't just easier, it saves you a day of travel and lost wages. By highlighting this, the resolution is making the case that continuous access to these services is crucial—a subtle warning that if Medicare coverage for remote visits were suddenly pulled back, it would significantly hurt the ability of millions of Americans to get necessary care. This is Congress saying, “We see you, and we know this matters.”

What They Want to Happen Next

While this resolution doesn't mandate anything, it strongly encourages several actions. Specifically, it pushes for increased public awareness of telehealth benefits, sharing resources for providers and patients, and, critically, collecting and analyzing data on how telehealth is performing. For busy professionals, this means the push to keep these services available and integrated into insurance plans is likely to continue. The goal is to promote ongoing, continuous access to telehealth, ensuring that whether you’re a construction worker on a remote site or a coder working from home, you can still connect with a doctor without having to rearrange your entire week.