I’m proud to be a leader on H.R. 6202, the Telehealth Extension Act, which will lower barriers to telehealth access and ensure rural communities can benefit just as much as urban communities.
Lower barriers to telehealth access, including for rural communities.
Occurrences
Evidence
unverified · Source version 11504 · locator unknown
Mike Kelly says telehealth can help patients where they live and states he is proud to be a leader on H.R. 6202, the Telehealth Extension Act, which "will lower barriers to telehealth access and ensure rural communities can benefit just as much as urban communities."
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Congress.gov summarizes H.R. 6202 as permanently removing geographic restrictions on telehealth originating sites, allowing the home to serve as an originating site, and allowing federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to serve as the distant site.
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Congress.gov lists Rep. Mike Kelly as the sponsor of H.R. 1614 and shows the latest action as referral to committee on February 26, 2025; the bill remains in introduced status. The summary says it permanently allows audiologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists to furnish telehealth services under Medicare.
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Kelly's office said H.R. 1614 would permanently expand telehealth eligibility for additional practitioners and that Congress must act so families, particularly in rural and underserved areas, have equal access to health care.
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SEC. 6209. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN TELEHEALTH FLEXIBILITIES. (a) Removing Geographic Requirements and Expanding Originating Sites for Telehealth Services.--Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2)(B)(iii), by striking ``ending January 30, 2026'' and inserting ``ending December 31, 2027''; (b) Expanding Practitioners Eligible to Furnish Telehealth Services.--Section 1834(m)(4)(E) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4)(E)) is amended by striking ``ending on January 30, 2026'' and inserting ``ending on December 31, 2027''. (c) Extending Telehealth Services for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics.--Section 1834(m)(8)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(8)(A)) is amended by striking ``ending on January 30, 2026'' and inserting ``ending on December 31, 2027''.
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Feb 03, 2026, 02:09 PM | 119th Congress, 2nd Session Vote Question: On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendments Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 Vote Type: Yea-And-Nay Status: Passed Kelly (PA) | Kelly (PA) | Republican | PA | Yea
Assessments
Kelly materially pursued the promise by sponsoring or leading telehealth-expansion bills, including H.R. 1614 in 2025 and backing H.R. 6202 in 2021, both aimed at reducing barriers for rural and underserved patients. But the evidence shows these measures were introduced and referred without becoming law, and there is no shown executive or enacted legislative outcome attributable to Kelly that actually lowered federal telehealth barriers. Under the federal office standard, serious legislative effort counts for an effort badge, but failed proposals do not count as delivery.
Kelly made serious legislative attempts to lower telehealth barriers, including sponsoring H.R. 1614 in the 119th Congress and supporting H.R. 6202, both aimed at expanding Medicare telehealth access and reducing rural access barriers. However, the evidence shows these measures remained proposals referred to committee or otherwise not enacted, so the promised policy outcome was not delivered. Because the attempts occurred during the relevant term but did not become law or produce the promised access change, this is a failed delivery with effort credit.