TAFA Applauds Becerra Call for Legislation to Permanently Protect Access to Telehealth

HHS Secretary Says Telehealth Flexibilities Are “Saving Lives” and Reiterates Critical Importance of Access to Virtual Care, Including Audio-Only, in Call for Action from Congress

Washington, D.C – Telehealth Access for America (TAFA) issued the following statement in response to comments made Wednesday by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Becerra on the importance of Congressional action to permanently protect access to telehealth.

“Telehealth Access for America applauds the administration for its ongoing commitment to telehealth and agrees with Secretary Becerra that Congress must act to extend critical flexibilities and permanently safeguard access to virtual care,” said TAFA spokesperson Julia Mirich. “Millions of patients who have come to rely on virtual care are counting on lawmakers to act, before the end of the year, to ensure they do not face a telehealth cliff.”

In comments to Inside Telehealth at the HLTH Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, Secretary Becerra said Congress must act to permanently extend critical telehealth flexibilities that are “saving lives.” He also noted the importance of telehealth for behavioral health care and highlighted that audio-only is “an important component” of access to telehealth — especially for patients living in rural areas.

ABOUT TELEHEALTH ACCESS FOR AMERICA

Telehealth Access for America (TAFA) is a public education campaign supported by leaders in health care committed to better care, expanded patient choice, and protecting access to critical telehealth services.
Learn more at www.telehealthaccessforamerica.org.