Supporting the designation of the week of September 14, 2025, through September 20, 2025, as Telehealth Awareness Week.
Summary
House Resolution 686 supports designating September 14-20, 2025, as "Telehealth Awareness Week." The resolution highlights telehealth's role in expanding healthcare access, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It acknowledges the increased use of telehealth among Medicare beneficiaries and the potential to improve healthcare access for rural and underserved communities.
Expected Effects
If passed, the resolution would raise awareness about the benefits of telehealth. It also urges steps to continue telehealth flexibilities, collect data on its impacts, and promote access across all communities. This could lead to increased adoption and integration of telehealth services into the healthcare system.
Potential Benefits
- Increased awareness of telehealth benefits for patients and providers.
- Potential for continued telehealth flexibilities beyond September 30, 2025.
- Improved access to healthcare services for rural and underserved communities.
- Data collection and analysis to better understand the impacts of telehealth.
- Promotion of telehealth access across various settings.
Potential Disadvantages
- The resolution itself does not enact any concrete policies or funding.
- Potential for increased healthcare costs if telehealth services are not managed effectively.
- Digital divide may limit access to telehealth for some populations.
- Concerns about data privacy and security related to telehealth services.
- Dependence on technology may create barriers for some patients.
Constitutional Alignment
This resolution aligns with the Constitution's broad goals of promoting the general welfare, as stated in the Preamble. Congress has the power to legislate on matters related to healthcare under the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8), as telehealth involves interstate commerce of medical services. The resolution does not infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).