Bill · S.Res. 417· Senate(119-SRES-417)
A resolution supporting the designation of the week of September 14 through September 20, 2025, as "Telehealth Awareness Week".
- Introduced
- 9/19/2025
- Last activity
- 9/19/2025 — Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S6798; text: CR S6795)
- Sponsored by
- Brian Schatz
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 3
- Introduced
- Officially Recorded
- Adopted by the Senate
A Senate resolution is the Senate speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the Senate agrees to it, it is officially the Senate's word; it is not a law, so the House and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
S. Res. 417 designates the week of September 14 through September 20, 2025, as "Telehealth Awareness Week." The resolution recognizes how telehealth helps patients access quality health care, especially in areas with workforce shortages or for those with mobility and transportation barriers. It acknowledges the growth of telehealth use among Medicare beneficiaries and its importance for behavioral health and underserved populations. The Senate urges actions to raise awareness, highlight resources, analyze data, and promote continuous access to telehealth for all communities.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+8
The bill explicitly supports the use of telehealth in rural health clinics and for rural populations.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+8
The resolution promotes telehealth to overcome mobility, transportation, and workforce shortage barriers to care.
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+7
The resolution highlights high utilization and satisfaction of telehealth among Medicare beneficiaries.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Access to Care: Telehealth helps individuals who live far from facilities, have limited mobility, or lack transportation to access health services.
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Support for Underserved Areas: Federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics use telehealth to reach rural and underserved populations.
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Behavioral Health Availability: Telehealth serves as a common modality for Medicare beneficiaries to receive behavioral health services, such as psychotherapy.
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Resource Awareness: The resolution urges steps to raise awareness about telehealth benefits and highlight resources for both patients and providers.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Risk of Coverage Lapse: The text notes that any lapse in Medicare coverage for telehealth services could adversely impact patient access to care.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+8Good For Retirees+7Good For Seniors+7Good For People With Disabilities+6Good For Low Income Households+5
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+8Improves Mental Health Access+5
- 9/19/2025
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Voice Vote.
- Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S6798; text: CR S6795)
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Bill introduced.
John BarrassoRepublican · Wyoming
Cindy Hyde-SmithRepublican · Mississippi
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia