The future of healthcare is knocking at our door, and I urge you to answer by taking immediate action to protect Medicare coverage for telehealth services. Over the past five years, telehealth has evolved from an emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic into a cornerstone of modern healthcare. For millions of Americans, particularly seniors and individuals with chronic conditions, telehealth has provided essential access to medical care that might otherwise be out of reach due to immunocompromise, disability, geographic isolation, or lack of transportation. Rolling back Medicare's telehealth coverage would have devastating consequences for patient health and access to care.
The impact of telehealth on patient outcomes is undeniable. It has expanded access to care for those in rural and underserved communities, facilitated critical mental health services, and improved the management of chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. In 2022, an American Medical Association (AMA) survey found that 80% of physicians utilized telehealth services, a significant increase from just 14% in 2016. Nearly 70% of these physicians expressed a strong desire to continue offering telehealth, citing its ability to improve patient outcomes and expand healthcare access.
Yet, despite this overwhelming evidence of telehealth’s effectiveness, Medicare has already begun limiting coverage, including the recent decision to eliminate telehealth options for cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. This move forces patients with serious heart and lung conditions to either return to in-person visits—often an insurmountable challenge for those with mobility limitations—or risk losing critical care altogether. Such rollbacks set a dangerous precedent, as private insurers frequently follow Medicare’s lead. If Medicare restricts telehealth access, it could trigger a domino effect, cutting off access to millions who rely on this service across the healthcare system.
The necessity of congressional action could not be clearer. We cannot allow outdated policies to undermine the significant progress made in telehealth expansion. Telehealth is not simply a matter of convenience—it is a lifeline for those who would otherwise fall through the cracks. As American Medical Association President Bruce A. Scott, MD, recently stated, "Congressional action is required to prevent the severe limitations on telehealth that existed before the COVID-19 pandemic from being restored." The time to act is now.
I urge you to support and advocate for legislation that ensures permanent Medicare coverage for telehealth services. Protecting telehealth access is not just a matter of policy; it is a moral and medical necessity. Please stand with patients, physicians, and healthcare providers in preserving telehealth as a vital component of modern healthcare.
First sent on February 21 by Jennifer
