In communities that otherwise would lack access to care, essential hospitals reach outside their walls to meet patients’ needs. Telehealth services have proved to be an important tool to increase access to care for underserved populations. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for flexibility to provide patient-centered care that best meets the unique needs and circumstances of individuals and communities.
America’s Essential Hospitals commends Congress for the flexibility it has provided to date. Telehealth flexibility has allowed hospitals to leverage technology to provide effective access to care and increase capacity through alternative care sites. As Congress continues considering legislation first implemented in response to the pandemic, it should make permanent policies that allow providers to expand access to care — including telehealth — to improve the health of their communities.
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