This bill authorizes the establishment of a grant program to significantly expand and enhance access to home-based telemental health and substance use services . The program specifically targets rural medically underserved populations and individuals engaged in the farming, fishing, and forestry industries , allowing them to receive care in their homes or other comfortable settings. The Secretary, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, will award these grants to eligible public or nonprofit private telemental health provider networks. Grant funds are intended to deliver direct home-based telemental health services, develop comprehensive metrics to assess the quality and impact of these services, and support essential infrastructure. Infrastructure support includes expanding broadband access, providing necessary devices for patients to access services, and offsetting technology costs for healthcare providers. The bill authorizes up to $10,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 for this program, and requires regular reports to Congress on its impact and quality of care.
This bill authorizes the establishment of a grant program to significantly expand and enhance access to home-based telemental health and substance use services . The program specifically targets rural medically underserved populations and individuals engaged in the farming, fishing, and forestry industries , allowing them to receive care in their homes or other comfortable settings. The Secretary, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, will award these grants to eligible public or nonprofit private telemental health provider networks. Grant funds are intended to deliver direct home-based telemental health services, develop comprehensive metrics to assess the quality and impact of these services, and support essential infrastructure. Infrastructure support includes expanding broadband access, providing necessary devices for patients to access services, and offsetting technology costs for healthcare providers. The bill authorizes up to $10,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 for this program, and requires regular reports to Congress on its impact and quality of care.