Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently appeared before the Senate for his confirmation hearing as the nominee for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Trump administration. The hearings, held over multiple days, covered a wide range of healthcare policy issues, including chronic disease prevention, vaccine safety, public health transparency, and regulatory oversight.

Notably, Kennedy’s testimony also touched on emerging healthcare technologies, including telehealth, artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine, and digital health innovation. His statements revealed a cautious but open approach to these advancements, emphasizing the need for transparency, accountability, and evidence-based policymaking.

In light of evolving immigration enforcement policies, healthcare providers—including those in telehealth, hospitals, and health systems—must be well-informed about their rights and responsibilities to ensure patient care remains uncompromised. The National Immigration Law Center's January 2025 publication, "Health Care Providers and Immigration Enforcement: Know Your Rights, Know Your Patients’ Rights," offers comprehensive guidance on this subject.

On January 23, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued Memorandum M-25-13, outlining new guidance for federal agencies to assess financial assistance programs against specific policy directives. These directives influence funding decisions, regulatory compliance, and statutory obligations that may impact CTeL members engaged in telehealth and digital health initiatives.

Agencies administering federal grants and financial assistance programs must now provide detailed responses to a series of policy-related questions before obligating or disbursing funds. CTeL members applying for or currently receiving federal funding should assess how these requirements may affect ongoing and future projects.

The healthcare landscape faces a significant and abrupt challenge following the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)’s recent directive to temporarily pause federal spending on financial assistance programs. This action, effective as of 5:00 PM ET tonight, has wide-ranging implications for healthcare providers, hospitals, and health systems that rely on federal funding to support critical programs.

Telehealth, the delivery of healthcare services through digital communication technologies, has transformed the healthcare landscape. While its rise was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, its long-term financial benefits for both patients and healthcare providers are ensuring its continued growth and integration into modern care models. From cost savings to operational efficiencies, telehealth presents a win-win solution for everyone involved in healthcare delivery.

As the 119th Congress begins its work, the Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law (CTeL) is urging lawmakers to prioritize telehealth in the upcoming reconciliation bill. This legislation represents a unique opportunity to extend critical Medicare telehealth access and address issues like facility fees that could undermine telehealth’s cost-saving potential.

At the Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law (CTeL), we are dedicated to shaping the future of digital health through thoughtful advocacy and research. Recently, we submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding their proposed policies for the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Prescription Drug programs for contract year 2026. These policies represent a critical opportunity to ensure that emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) are deployed ethically and equitably within healthcare systems.

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders with wide-reaching implications across multiple sectors, including healthcare. Among these was the directive to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), a move that could have significant consequences for telehealth, digital health innovation, and global health collaboration. Additionally, the regulatory freeze memorandum signed the same day may further influence telehealth policy and pending waivers.

On January 14, 2025, President Biden issued the Executive Order on Advancing U.S. Leadership in Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure, a bold move to position the United States at the forefront of global AI development. The Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law (CTeL) applauds this initiative as a forward-thinking approach to fostering innovation while ensuring necessary safeguards are in place.

This landmark executive order aims to accelerate the development of AI infrastructure by leveraging federal resources, promoting clean energy, and ensuring equitable access to AI advancements.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a final rule to update and refine regulations surrounding the prescribing of controlled substances via telemedicine, with a particular focus on balancing public health needs and the prevention of substance misuse. This rule is part of an effort to clarify how the practice of telemedicine, which grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, can continue to support patient access to necessary care without compromising the safety measures associated with controlled substances.

The U.S. is in the midst of a healthcare workforce crisis, with over a million registered nurses holding active licenses yet choosing not to work at the bedside. Unsafe working conditions, chronic understaffing, and the increasing reliance on untested technologies have created an unsustainable environment for providers and patients alike. On January 16, 2025, National Nurses United (NNU) is leading a National Day of Action with marches, protests, and rallies across the country to demand systemic reforms. Nurses are calling for safe staffing levels, patient protections, and robust oversight of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in healthcare. This collective effort highlights the urgency of addressing workforce shortages and the critical role of nurses in advocating for patient safety and equitable care.

With the telehealth expansion waivers authorized under the American Relief Act of 2025 set to expire on March 31, 2025, Congress faces a pivotal moment in healthcare policy. As the Republican-led 119th Congress leverages budget reconciliation to pursue spending and tax reforms, the future of telehealth hangs in the balance. The decisions made in the coming months will determine whether millions of Americans retain access to essential virtual care services.

A Republican trifecta taking power in Washington, party leaders are confident in their ability to pass major spending and tax reform in what President-elect Trump hopes will be “one big, beautiful bill.” Despite not having a filibuster-proof Senate majority, Republicans can still achieve many of their legislative goals through the process of budget reconciliation, which is shaping up to be one of the 119th Congress’ top priorities. 

As the digital transformation of healthcare continues to reshape the landscape, the Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law (CTeL) is committed to ensuring equitable, ethical, and effective implementation of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). In response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) proposed policies for Contract Year 2026, we have provided detailed comments and recommendations aimed at addressing critical challenges in Medicare Advantage (MA) programs and beyond.

The telehealth industry is poised for another transformative year in 2025, with technological advancements, policy shifts, and consumer demand driving new innovations and challenges. Below, we explore the top five trends that will shape the future of virtual care and digital health.

The healthcare landscape of 2025 looks vastly different from its pre-2020 predecessor. What began as an emergency response mechanism during the pandemic has evolved into a sophisticated, integrated care delivery system. Telehealth is no longer a supplementary tool—it has become a cornerstone of healthcare delivery, driving improvements in patient outcomes, provider capabilities, and the economics of care.

Recent analysis by the National Health Institute reveals that telehealth now accounts for 23% of all healthcare encounters nationwide, with some specialties reporting virtual visit rates exceeding 50%. This shift is more than just a change in delivery methods; it represents a fundamental reimagining of healthcare accessibility, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Telehealth services have transformed healthcare access, especially for rural and underserved communities, but the path to making these benefits permanent hinges on one crucial factor: an accurate Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score. As Congress considers the Telehealth Modernization Act (TMA) to establish permanent telehealth access, ensuring accurate projections of its financial and healthcare impacts is essential for success. Here’s why scoring matters—and how organizations like CTeL, in collaboration with experts like Charm Economics, are leading the charge to provide critical research.

Telehealth Faces an Uncertain Future as HDHP Waivers Expire

The start of 2025 marks a significant shift for millions of Americans who depend on telehealth. On December 31, 2024, the waivers allowing High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) to cover telehealth services pre-deductible officially expired.

These waivers, introduced through the CARES Act in 2020 and extended by the Consolidated Appropriations Acts (CAA) of 2022 and 2023, allowed HDHP participants to access virtual care without first meeting their deductibles, preserving their eligibility for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Now, with the policy no longer in effect, patients and providers face the financial and operational realities of this change.

After a week of intense negotiations and political back-and-forth, Congress has passed the American Relief Act, 2025, narrowly avoiding a government shutdown. This landmark legislation ensures the continuation of essential healthcare programs and includes critical provisions to sustain telehealth access for millions of Americans, albeit for 90 days.

With Congress at a standstill over passing the funding bill, the looming possibility of a government shutdown threatens to disrupt many critical services. Telehealth, a cornerstone of healthcare innovation since the COVID-19 pandemic, stands to face significant setbacks if funding stalls and policy decisions remain in limbo. Here’s a closer look at what this means for telehealth and how hospitals, providers, and organizations can prepare.

The COVID-19 pandemic revolutionized healthcare delivery, with telehealth emerging as a cornerstone of accessible, patient-centered care. Millions of Americans reaped the benefits of temporary telehealth flexibilities enacted under emergency provisions, which dismantled barriers and expanded access to care across urban, suburban, and rural communities alike. These flexibilities were especially transformative for behavioral health services, chronic disease management, and routine care—areas that historically faced significant access challenges. However, with the end of the pandemic emergency period, these measures were at risk of expiring, threatening to disrupt care for millions.

The end-of-year congressional budget bill serves as a crucial intervention, offering a two-year extension of telehealth flexibilities. While this provides immediate relief, it is not a long-term solution. The ultimate goal must remain clear: permanent telehealth legislation by 2027, ensuring that healthcare access is seamless and uninterrupted for all Americans.