Telehealth advocates say Congress must not pull the plug on virtual care

When the nation sheltered in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, health care did not stop.

Doctors and patients began meeting online to discern the best treatments and patient care. At the time, telehealth was not new, but it expanded to become a major part of the U.S. health care system.

Lawmakers granted flexibilities so Medicare could reimburse doctors for virtual visits and online health care. Since the pandemic waned and the COVID-19 public health emergency ended, those flexibilities have continued through extensions granted by lawmakers in Washington, D.C.

Telehealth advocates again are waiting for a new round of extensions and allowances to continue the use and development of e-visits.

The American Telemedicine Association and its advocacy arm, ATA Action, hope to persuade Congress to keep telehealth plugged in for physicians, other clinicians and patients around the country.

In this video series, Kyle Zebley, ATA vice president, public policy, and ATA Action executive director, explains the recent history and ramifications of federal policies that affect telehealth. As of mid-March 2025, Congress continued deliberation on a continuing resolution to fund government operations; the same legislation would grant the needed provisions that telehealth advocates say are needed.