; and (v) concerns around violating relevant privacy, security, and patient safety regulations. . VII Knowing the Efficiency and Efficacy of Permanent Telehealth Options 701. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) On January 21, 2020, the United States confirmed the Nation’s first case of the 2019 novel coronavirus (which presents as the disease COVID–19). (2) On January 31, 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this title referred to as the Secretary ) declared a public health emergency in response to COVID–19. (3) By March, the disease reached the pandemic level according to the World Health Organization, and the President proclaimed the COVID–19 outbreak in the United States to constitute a national emergency. (4) This emergency declaration authorizes the Secretary to temporarily waive or modify certain requirements of the Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children’s Health Insurance programs and of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Privacy Rule throughout the duration of the public health emergency declared in response to the COVID–19 outbreak . (5) Under this authority, the Secretary, and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (in this title referred to as the Administrator ) acting under the Secretary’s authority, issued numerous rules, regulations, and waivers enabling the expansion of telehealth services during the public health emergency. (6) Telehealth services play a critical role in enhancing access to care for patients while simultaneously reducing the risk of exposure to the co­ro­na­vi­rus for both patients and providers. (7) The Administrator expanded access to telehealth services under the public health emergency to all Medicare beneficiaries (including clinician-provided services to new and established patients). (8) On April 23, 2020, the Administrator released a telehealth toolkit to assist States in expanding the use of telehealth through Medicaid and CHIP. (9) Expanded telehealth options are valuable for all Americans during