Rural and Hispanic Communities Need Telehealth

By Helder Toste

Telehealth has become a healthcare game-changer for tens of millions of Americans.

We all know the time and effort an in-person health visit takes – travel to the appointment, time off work, hours spent in an office, and follow-ups that require us to do the whole process over again. But telehealth expansion in the post-COVID world has changed everything.

Telehealth is now an essential element in our healthcare system, ensuring that patients can see a doctor of their choice on their terms and in the way that best serves their needs, no matter who they are or where they live.

Congress has seen the value in lowering the barriers to telehealth too, extending regulatory flexibility for telehealth in 2022 and supporting telehealth services for more than 60 million patients.

But that flexibility will end this year unless Congress acts.

Originally Published in Real Clear Health