ICYMI: Bipartisan Policy Center Calls for Congress to Permanently Protect Access to Telehealth
Report Highlights How Lingering Uncertainty on Critical Telehealth Flexibilities Undermines Virtual Care
In case you missed it, a new report from the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) underscores the urgency for lawmakers to permanently protect access to telehealth. Entitled “Positioning Telehealth Policy to Ensure High-Quality, Cost-Effective Care,” the report highlights the importance of certainty, for patients and providers, to unlock the full potential of telehealth as critical flexibilities for virtual care are set to expire at year-end.
“Congress needs to act quickly to ensure continued access to telehealth before current flexibilities expire at the end of the year… that’s a priority,” shared Maya Sandalow, a senior policy analyst for BPC, with Inside Telehealth.
BPC’s report urges Congress to explore opportunities for permanency, highlighting how the current uncertainty around telehealth flexibilities not only disrupts patients and physicians’ peace of mind in determining treatment plans, but also discourages investments in new telehealth technologies and service offerings that could help unlock the full potential of telehealth for consumers.
“Policymakers should push for permanent telehealth policy where the evidence warrants it,” the report states. “Permanent policy will provide stability for patients and providers and offer the certainty needed for health systems and practices to feel comfortable investing in telehealth technology.”
The report concludes by noting that “telehealth has become a permanent fixture of the nation’s health care delivery system. BPC’s forward-looking policy recommendations aim to secure the integrity of telehealth and ensure it continues to be a transformative force in health care for years to come.”
The report should add to the growing bipartisan momentum for policymakers in Washington to urgently protect access to telehealth, with a significant extension of critical flexibilities for virtual care, without onerous restrictions.
Read the full BPC report advocating for long-term telehealth protections HERE.
Read the full InsideTelehealth article HERE.
Learn more about how Congress can act to permanently protect telehealth access 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.