TAFA: Senate Finance Report Highlights Critical Role of Telehealth in Increasing Accessibility of Mental Health Services
Committee Findings Add to Growing Momentum for Solutions to Unleash Full Potential of Virtual Care, Including the Removal of Arbitrary Barriers to Behavioral Care
Washington, D.C – Telehealth Access for America (TAFA) issued the following statement in response to the release of a bipartisan U.S. Senate Committee on Finance report titled, “Mental Health Care in the United States: The Case for Federal Action.”
“We applaud Chairman Wyden, Ranking Member Crapo, and members of the Finance Committee for publishing this report that highlights the critical role played by telehealth in increasing the accessibility of safe and effective behavioral health services,” said TAFA spokesperson Julia Mirich. “This report will add to the growing momentum in Washington to unleash the full potential of telehealth as a critical tool to address mental health challenges by removing arbitrary barriers to care and implementing permanent reforms that safeguard access to virtual care for people in every community.”
Among key findings from the report, the Committee highlighted that “the telehealth modality may reduce barriers to behavioral health care because it could reduce stigma associated with accessing mental health and SUD (substance use disorder) services, difficulties attending appointments due to issues with transportation or childcare, and geographical barriers that prevent patients from seeking a provider.”
Read the full Committee report HERE.
Read what Members of Congress had to say during a pair of recent hearings on the critical importance of telehealth in addressing the nation’s mental health crisis HERE.
Read what President Biden had to say about the importance of ensuring access to behavioral telehealth services in the State of the Union address HERE.
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 and take action today at www.telehealthaccessforamerica.org.
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