Current Legislation

As part of the advocacy and government affairs efforts of the AASM, our staff tracks legislation at the federal and state-by-state level. These bills cover a wide range of issues that are important to our members, such as telehealth coverage and policy to later school start times. For more information or questions, please email policy@aasm.org.

Federal Legislation Introduced in the 119th Congress

H.R. 4206/S. 1261: Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies for Health Act of 2025, CONNECT for Health Act; or CONNECT for Health Act

Summary: AASM supports the CONNECT for Health Act which is a bipartisan bill introduced in the House and the Senate that aims to permanently extend access to telehealth services for Medicare patients that are set to expire in Sept. 2025. Key provisions include:

  • Elimination of Geographic Restrictions: The Act would permanently remove restrictions limiting telehealth coverage to patients in rural areas.
  • Expansion of Originating Sites: It would allow patients to receive telehealth services in their homes or other locations where they can access telecommunications.
  • Expanded Provider Authority: It seeks to expand the types of healthcare professionals eligible to provide telehealth services.

H.R. 139/S. 29 Sunshine Protection Act

Summary: AASM does not support the Sunshine Protection Act introduced in the House and the Senate that would eliminate biannual clock changes by repealing the temporary daylight-saving time period established under the Uniform Time Act of 1966 and make DST the new permanent time year-round. AASM is currently seeking support legislation that eliminates biannual clock changes that make standard time the permanent time year-round.

H.R. 3514/S. 1816 Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025

Summary: AASM supports this legislation introduced in the House and the Senate that aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. This bill would:

  • Require MA plans to implement a secure, standardized Electronic Prior Authorization (ePA) System 2028.
  • Implement annual transparency reporting to include approval and denial rates, appeal outcomes, use of AI or decision-support technologies, average response times, and grievances related to prior authorization.
  • Enrollee protections that ensure plans disclose use of AI decision support and provide access to criteria used for authorization decisions.
  • Directs HHS to monitor and report on program integrity and improvements to the ePA process.