TAFA Applauds Secretary Vilsack, Biden Administration’s Continued Commitment To Expanding Virtual Care Access

Vilsack Touts Cost-Saving and Convenience Benefits of Telehealth Ahead of Broadband Grant Announcement

Washington, D.C – Telehealth Access for America (TAFA) issued the following statement in response to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s remarks Friday during a briefing with Inside Telehealth on the recent ReConnect Program announcement. 

“We thank Secretary Vilsack and the Biden administration for recognizing telehealth’s critical value to the future of health care, including as a cost-saver for patients and the health care system. As Secretary Vilsack noted, virtual care can increase access to specialists, expedite care, support preventative care, and save money,” said TAFA spokesperson Julia Mirich.

“It is clear that telehealth is a win-win, which is why there is overwhelming, bipartisan support for safeguarding patients’ access to this critical mode of care. Measures such as increased broadband access can go a long way in ensuring more patients can access telehealth, but Congress must also enact permanent virtual care protections before flexibilities are set to expire at the end of next year,” concluded Mirich. 
Secretary Vilsack’s remarks echo previous telehealth findings. For example, one study found that average telehealth patients saw a 61 percent decrease in health care expenses from January 2020 to February 2021. Additional research also shows that patients can save $19 to $121 each virtual visit.

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.