TAFA Applauds Lawmakers’ Continued Commitment to Protecting Virtual Behavioral Health Care Access

Campaign Calls for Action to Ensure Permanent Protections

Washington, D.C. – Telehealth Access for America (TAFA) issued the following statement in response to the reintroduction of legislation that would eliminate in-person requirements to utilize virtual behavioral health care for Medicare beneficiaries.

“Telehealth is a vital source for mental and behavioral health care, representing one in three outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment visits. Unfortunately, we are less than one year away from telehealth flexibilities that millions rely on disappearing,” said TAFA spokesperson Julia Mirich. “We applaud lawmakers’ continued efforts to protect virtual care. Permanent legislation that protects access to virtual care without onerous restrictions, like in-person requirements, is urgently needed – for the one in five U.S. adults who are experiencing a mental illness and for millions of others throughout the nation.”

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.