Becerra to Congress on Safeguarding Access to Telehealth: “We Need More Help”

TAFA Applauds Biden Administration’s Calls for Permanent Telehealth Protections, Reiterates Need for Congressional Action 

Washington, D.C – Telehealth Access for America issued the following statement in response to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra’s remarks during yesterday’s House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies hearing on the Biden administration’s proposed FY23 budget. 

“We applaud the administration for its continued commitment to working with Congress to safeguard and expand equitable access to telehealth,” said TAFA spokesperson Julia Mirich. “In calling for ‘more help’ from lawmakers to advance access to telehealth, Secretary Becerra channeled the needs of the millions of Medicare beneficiaries who are counting on permanent reforms to protect their access to virtual care services.”

“TAFA joins Secretary Becerra in thanking Congress for passing a recent five month extension of telehealth protections after the end of the public health emergency, but that fix is only temporary,” Mirich continued. “Patients need permanent assurance that they will be able to access the care they rely on, and millions of individuals and providers are counting on Congress to act.”

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. 

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