HEALTH Act of 2021

Helping Ensure Access to Local TeleHealth Act of 2021 or the HEALTH Act of 2021

This bill modifies requirements relating to Medicare coverage of telehealth services, including services that are furnished by federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and rural health clinics (RHCs).

Specifically, the bill expands coverage to include audio-only telehealth services. It also permanently allows FQHCs and RHCs to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner) for telehealth services and excludes such services from certain geographic restrictions. Payment must be made in the same manner as for non-telehealth services, rather than in accordance with a separate methodology determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Bill 117 HR 4437, also known as the HEALTH Act of 2021, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to reform the medical malpractice system in the United States.

The HEALTH Act of 2021 aims to limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits. It proposes a cap on non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, at $250,000. This cap is intended to reduce the financial burden on healthcare providers and insurance companies, and ultimately lower healthcare costs for patients.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions to encourage the use of alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation and arbitration, to resolve medical malpractice claims. These methods are seen as a way to expedite the resolution of disputes and reduce the strain on the court system. Furthermore, the HEALTH Act of 2021 includes measures to protect healthcare providers from frivolous lawsuits. It establishes a "safe harbor" provision for providers who follow clinical practice guidelines and protocols. This provision is designed to shield providers from liability if they can demonstrate that they followed established standards of care. Overall, the HEALTH Act of 2021 seeks to address the rising costs of medical malpractice insurance and healthcare services by reforming the medical malpractice system. Supporters of the bill argue that it will help to reduce healthcare costs and improve access to care, while opponents raise concerns about limiting patients' ability to seek compensation for injuries caused by medical negligence.