It should come as no surprise that having 535 federal legislators representing a wide range of political beliefs and opinions on any given day would provide a vibrant scene for the exchange of opposing ideas on how best to address the wide ranging needs of the U.S. citizenry. Adding to the zest is the fact that the House of Representatives currently is ruled by Republicans, but only by the slimmest of majorities. All it takes is for just one or two of them to stray from political party colleagues and mayhem quickly is ensued. Already in recent months, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was deposed from that position for failing to satisfy a small group of other Republicans. Meanwhile, his successor Michael Johnson (R-LA) recently is being threatened with a similar ouster by another small group of dissidents.
An important function for members of Congress is to enact 12 major spending bills ech year to keep federal machinery afloat. As in past years, they were not successful in doing so until six months after fiscal year 2024 began on October 1, 2023. Domestic issues, such as abortion and initiatives in foreign affairs, involving military aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan are sufficiently powerful for matters pertaining to appropriations legislation to grind to an immediate halt. Another key function for federal legislators is to furnish oversight of activities of the executive branch of government. Congressional hearings always have the potential to turn into a vast playground where invited witnesses are badgered by indignant legislators. Also, a threat of impeachment can hang in the air over some contentious deliberations.
Often lost in the fog of various controversies, however, are the many occasions when bipartisan harmony is achieved. During COVID-19, social lockdowns required patients to remain at home where they were unable to leave to obtain health services. Telehealth made it possible for them to receive care in a different manner. Another group that has benefited from this technology consists of rural residents who may reside many miles from clinicians and health facilities. Presently, S. 2016, CONNECT for Health Act of 2023, has 65 co-sponsors in the Senate. The purpose is to expand coverage of telehealth services through Medicare, make permanent telehealth flexibilities that were enacted during COVID, make it easier for patients to connect with their doctors, and help improve health outcomes. Some features are:
· Permanently removing all geographic restrictions on telehealth services and expand originating sites to include the home and other sites
· Permanently allowing health centers and rural health clinics to provide telehealth services
· Allowing more eligible health care professionals to utilize telehealth services
· Removing unnecessary in-person visit requirement for telemental health services
· Allowing for the waiver of telehealth restrictions during public health emergencies
· Requiring more published data to learn more about how telehealth is being used, impacts of quality of care, and how it can be improved to support patients and health care providers.