FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEnJuly 23, 2026
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WASHINGTON D.C. – In a resounding display of unity and urgency, more than 200 leading health care organizations, patient advocacy groups, and clinicians, including the Epilepsy Alliance America, converged on Capitol Hill today to deliver a powerful message to Congress: permanent Medicare telehealth coverage is not merely a convenience, but a critical pillar of modern healthcare infrastructure that must be protected.
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At a pivotal event hosted by the Alliance for Connected Care, patients, clinicians, and health system leaders joined Members of Congress to present the "Telehealth Voters Pledge." This comprehensive pledge, endorsed by a diverse and extensive coalition, implores lawmakers to transcend the precarious cycle of short-term extensions and establish lasting statutory authority for telehealth services under Medicare. The coalition warns that current telehealth flexibilities are slated to expire on December 31, 2027, a deadline that, if unmet, threatens to plunge millions of Americans back into a state of care uncertainty reminiscent of a disruptive lapse experienced just last year.
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Epilepsy Alliance America stands proudly among this formidable coalition, advocating tirelessly for a future where individuals living with epilepsy and other chronic conditions can consistently access the virtual care that has proven instrumental in managing their health, reducing burdens, and enhancing their quality of life. The organization emphasizes that for many, particularly those facing mobility challenges, transportation barriers, or geographical isolation, telehealth has become an indispensable lifeline, ensuring continuity of specialized care that might otherwise be out of reach.
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Main Facts: A United Front for Enduring Telehealth
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Today’s event on Capitol Hill marked a significant escalation in the national campaign for permanent Medicare telehealth coverage. Organized by the Alliance for Connected Care, the gathering brought together a broad spectrum of stakeholders, all united by a singular, urgent demand: Congress must act decisively to prevent a catastrophic lapse in virtual care access.
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The centerpiece of the day was the formal presentation of the Telehealth Voters Pledge to key Members of Congress. This document, signed by over 200 organizations spanning the entire healthcare ecosystem – from patient advocacy groups like Epilepsy Alliance America to major health systems, clinician associations, and technology innovators – represents an unprecedented consensus on the necessity of virtual care. The pledge serves as a clear declaration that the current temporary framework for telehealth is unsustainable and detrimental to patient welfare.
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Central to the coalition’s appeal is the looming deadline of December 31, 2027, when existing telehealth flexibilities, largely introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, are set to expire. The memory of a previous lapse in coverage in 2025 weighs heavily on the minds of patients and providers alike, having caused widespread disruption to care across the country. Organizers underscored that such a gap is not only avoidable but, given the accumulated evidence of telehealth’s efficacy and necessity, inexcusable.
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The event garnered bipartisan support, highlighted by the sponsorship of Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA), both long-standing champions of connected care. Their presence and backing signaled a recognition within Congress of the critical need for a stable telehealth policy. Further underscoring this bipartisan consensus, Representative Carol Miller (R-WV) joined as a featured speaker, lending her voice to the call for permanent access and emphasizing that telehealth is a non-partisan issue of vital importance to constituents across the political spectrum.
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Chris Adamec, Executive Director of the Alliance for Connected Care, articulated the coalition’s frustration and determination. "We saw what happens when Medicare telehealth coverage lapses; real patients lost real access in 2025. Congress has the evidence, the coalition, and the runway to fix this before it happens again. There’s no excuse to wait until this care is about to expire again to act," Adamec stated emphatically. "We’ve patched Medicare telehealth access together with short-term extensions for too long. Today, more than 200 organizations are telling Congress to stop kicking the can down the road, and make this permanent."
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Chronology: From Pandemic Lifeline to Policy Uncertainty
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The journey of telehealth from a niche service to a mainstream healthcare delivery model has been rapid and transformative, yet its policy framework remains precariously in flux. Understanding this chronology is crucial to appreciating the urgency of today’s demands.
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Pre-Pandemic Era (Prior to 2020): Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare telehealth coverage was severely restricted. It was largely limited to patients in rural areas receiving care at specific originating sites (like clinics or hospitals, not their homes) and for a narrow range of services. This restrictive policy meant that the vast potential of virtual care remained largely untapped for most Medicare beneficiaries.
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The Pandemic Surge (March 2020 onwards): The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reshaped the healthcare landscape. To ensure continuity of care while minimizing in-person contact and potential virus transmission, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rapidly expanded telehealth flexibilities. These emergency measures allowed Medicare beneficiaries to access a broad range of services from their homes, removed geographical restrictions, and expanded the types of providers who could offer telehealth. This sudden expansion demonstrated telehealth’s capacity to serve as a vital lifeline, maintaining access to primary care, specialty consultations, mental health services, and chronic disease management during an unprecedented public health crisis.
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The "Patchwork" of Extensions (2020-2025): As the public health emergency (PHE) eventually wound down, the question of telehealth’s future became paramount. Rather than enacting permanent legislation, Congress opted for a series of short-term extensions. These legislative patches maintained many of the pandemic-era flexibilities but introduced an element of uncertainty. Each extension brought with it the anxiety of a potential lapse, forcing patients and providers to operate without long-term clarity.
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The 2025 Lapse and its Impact: A critical turning point occurred in 2025 when a temporary extension expired, leading to a brief but significant lapse in Medicare telehealth coverage. This period served as a stark, real-world demonstration of the consequences of policy inaction. Millions of patients experienced disruptions to their care, appointments were canceled or postponed, and many, especially those with chronic conditions or limited mobility, found themselves struggling to access necessary medical attention. For example, individuals managing conditions like epilepsy often rely on regular virtual check-ins for medication adjustments or seizure monitoring. The 2025 lapse meant these vital consultations were suddenly unavailable, increasing risks and anxiety. Healthcare providers, too, faced administrative burdens and the difficult task of rescheduling or converting virtual visits to in-person ones, often at short notice and with significant logistical challenges.
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The Impending 2027 Deadline: The current set of telehealth flexibilities is set to expire on December 31, 2027. This deadline, now just over a year away, is the driving force behind the renewed push for permanent legislation. The coalition emphasizes that waiting until the eleventh hour, as has happened before, risks a repeat of the 2025 disruption, further eroding trust and jeopardizing patient health. The call from the Alliance for Connected Care and its partners is clear: the time for incremental, temporary solutions has passed; decisive, permanent action is required now.
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Supporting Data: The Compelling Case for Permanent Access
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The demand for permanent Medicare telehealth coverage is not based on anecdotal evidence but on a robust body of data, real-world experiences, and compelling statistics that underscore its necessity and effectiveness.
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Broad Coalition & Widespread Support: The very breadth of the coalition itself speaks volumes. Over 200 diverse organizations – including patient advocates like Epilepsy Alliance America, clinician associations, hospitals, health systems, and technology companies – have signed the Telehealth Voters Pledge. This consensus among stakeholders, who often have varying priorities, highlights the undeniable value of telehealth across the entire healthcare spectrum. It’s a rare instance where so many disparate entities align on a single policy objective.
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Addressing the Mental Health Crisis: One of the most critical areas where telehealth has made an indelible impact is mental health. Debbie Witchey, President and CEO of the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW), eloquently highlighted the scale of the challenge: "Nearly one in every four Americans, approximately 60 million people, experience a mental illness annually, and right now, there is only one mental health provider for every 340 people in the U.S." Telehealth dramatically bridges this gap, providing accessible care to individuals who might otherwise face prohibitive barriers due to provider shortages, geographical distance, or the stigma associated with in-person visits. Allowing permanent Medicare telehealth services and repealing outdated in-person requirements for mental health services is crucial for protecting access and ensuring continuity of care for millions.
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Enhanced Access for Vulnerable Populations:
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- Rural and Underserved Communities: Mordy Eisenberg, Co-Founder of Tapestry Health, powerfully articulated, "Telehealth isn’t a convenience, it’s infrastructure." For rural Americans, where specialty providers are scarce and travel distances are immense, telehealth often represents the only viable pathway to timely, high-quality care. It ensures that geographical location does not dictate access to essential medical services, thereby promoting health equity.
- Elderly and Chronically Ill Patients: Bernadette Nunley, Chief Legal Advocacy Officer for Compassion & Choices, emphasized the importance for individuals at the end of life. Telehealth expands access to palliative care specialists, hospice consultations, and symptom management, allowing patients to receive care and make critical advance care plans from the comfort and familiarity of their homes. For patients with chronic conditions like epilepsy, telehealth reduces the physical and logistical burden of frequent travel, minimizing seizure triggers associated with stress or fatigue, and allowing for consistent monitoring and medication management.
- Mobility Impaired & Immunocompromised: For those with limited mobility or compromised immune systems, telehealth eliminates the physical challenges of clinic visits and reduces exposure to infectious diseases, making routine care safer and more accessible.
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Continuity of Care and Reduced Disruptions: The 2025 lapse demonstrated the severe consequences of policy uncertainty. Permanent telehealth coverage ensures that patients can maintain established relationships with their providers, adhere to treatment plans, and receive timely interventions without fear of arbitrary service discontinuation. This continuity is vital for managing chronic conditions, preventing acute exacerbations, and improving long-term health outcomes.
Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness: Virtual care can reduce healthcare costs by minimizing emergency department visits for manageable conditions, decreasing travel expenses for patients, and potentially optimizing provider time. Jon Thiboutot, President of Retail Health at CVS Health, noted, "we see every day how virtual care can remove barriers to getting help. Our MinuteClinic virtual care services, including mental health support, make it easier for all patients to get the care they need in ways that fit their lives." This highlights how telehealth streamlines access and integrates into daily routines, making healthcare more efficient and patient-centered.
Bipartisan Support: The involvement of Representatives Matsui (D-CA), Thompson (D-CA), and Miller (R-WV) underscores the bipartisan recognition of telehealth’s value. This broad political appeal indicates that permanent telehealth is not a partisan issue but a practical solution to pressing healthcare challenges faced by all Americans.
Innovation and Future-Proofing: Permanent policy encourages further innovation in telehealth technologies and service delivery models. It provides the stability necessary for providers and technology companies to invest in and expand virtual care offerings, ultimately leading to a more resilient, accessible, and technologically advanced healthcare system.
Official Responses: Voices of Commitment and Concern
The Capitol Hill event served as a powerful platform for a chorus of voices – from congressional leaders to advocacy group executives and healthcare providers – all echoing the imperative for permanent telehealth.
Congressional Champions:
While specific direct quotes from Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), and Carol Miller (R-WV) were not provided, their sponsorship of the event and their presence as featured speakers signify their strong legislative commitment to this cause. Their participation underscores the bipartisan understanding that telehealth has become an indispensable component of healthcare delivery, deserving of stable, long-term policy. Their support is crucial for building the necessary legislative momentum for a "fall legislative push" and securing permanent statutory authority.
Chris Adamec, Executive Director, Alliance for Connected Care: Adamec’s impassioned remarks captured the core frustration of the coalition. His direct challenge to Congress – "There’s no excuse to wait until this care is about to expire again to act" – highlights the urgency and the perceived lack of accountability for past delays. His statement, "We’ve patched Medicare telehealth access together with short-term extensions for too long. Today, more than 200 organizations are telling Congress to stop kicking the can down the road, and make this permanent," encapsulates the collective sentiment that temporary fixes are no longer acceptable.
Debbie Witchey, President and CEO, Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW): Witchey’s focus on the mental health crisis provided a compelling human dimension to the policy debate. Her statistics on the prevalence of mental illness and the scarcity of providers vividly illustrated how telehealth is not just helpful but absolutely essential for addressing a national public health emergency. Her call to "repeal the mental health services in-person requirement" points to specific policy changes that would remove unnecessary barriers and ensure equitable access to vital behavioral health support.
Bernadette Nunley, Chief Legal Advocacy Officer, Compassion & Choices: Nunley’s advocacy for end-of-life care illuminated another critical benefit of telehealth. Her assertion that "This access is important for ensuring that our constituencies are able to routinely check in with their clinicians without the burden of leaving home" speaks to the profound impact of virtual care on patient comfort and dignity. The ability to access palliative care specialists, hospice consultations, and to facilitate advance care planning remotely empowers patients and their families during incredibly vulnerable times.
Jon Thiboutot, President of Retail Health, CVS Health: Thiboutot’s perspective from a major healthcare retailer underscored the practical, everyday benefits of telehealth for a broad patient base. His statement that CVS Health has "supported these flexibilities since the pandemic – we see every day how virtual care can remove barriers to getting help" provides real-world validation from a provider on the front lines of patient care. It also highlights the integration of virtual care into accessible community-based settings.
Mordy Eisenberg, Co-Founder, Tapestry Health: Eisenberg’s powerful declaration, "Telehealth isn’t a convenience, it’s infrastructure," framed the debate in terms of fundamental access and equity. His example from skilled nursing and long-term care, where virtual clinical access can prevent emergency room transfers, vividly illustrates the life-saving and cost-saving potential of telehealth. His call for "every candidate in 2026 to commit to making these protections permanent" signals the coalition’s intent to make this a key electoral issue.
Chad Ellimoottil, MD, MS, Medical Director of Virtual Care, University of Michigan Health: Representing academic medicine and large health systems, Dr. Ellimoottil emphasized the importance of stability for providers. His commitment to "educating voters and policymakers about the need to move beyond temporary extensions and create lasting statutory authority for telehealth in 2026" highlights the shared responsibility of the medical community in advocating for these crucial policy changes.
The Healthcare Leadership Council: This influential group reiterated the broad impact of telehealth, particularly for "rural and underserved communities." Their commitment to "working with policymakers to move beyond temporary extensions and establish permanent Medicare telehealth policies that provide certainty for patients and providers" underscores the need for a stable regulatory environment that fosters innovation and strengthens care delivery nationwide.
Heidi McIntosh, MSW, Chief Operating Officer, National Association of Social Workers (NASW): McIntosh’s remarks brought the perspective of social workers, who are often at the forefront of mental and behavioral health support. Her statement that "Social workers and their clients should not have to face recurring lapses in care while telehealth is not permanently extended" underscores the direct and detrimental impact of policy uncertainty on therapeutic relationships and patient progress.
These collective statements paint a clear picture: a broad, committed alliance of stakeholders views permanent telehealth as an essential, non-negotiable component of a modern, equitable, and effective healthcare system.
Implications: The Stakes of Inaction and the Promise of Permanent Access
The consequences of failing to establish permanent Medicare telehealth coverage are profound, extending far beyond mere inconvenience. Conversely, securing permanent access holds the promise of a more resilient, equitable, and patient-centered healthcare future.
The Stakes of Inaction:
- Disrupted Care and Worsened Health Outcomes: A repeat of the 2025 lapse, or any future expiration of flexibilities, would immediately disrupt care for millions of Medicare beneficiaries. For individuals with chronic conditions like epilepsy, this could mean missed neurological appointments, delays in medication adjustments, or lack of access to specialized monitoring, potentially leading to increased seizure frequency, emergency room visits, or even irreversible health decline. For mental health patients, interruptions can derail therapeutic progress, leading to worsened conditions and crisis situations.
- Exacerbated Health Disparities: The most vulnerable populations – including rural residents, the elderly, those with limited mobility, and individuals in underserved communities – would be disproportionately affected. Telehealth has been a powerful tool for bridging geographical and socioeconomic barriers to care. Removing it would widen existing health disparities, leaving many without access to essential services.
- Increased Burden on Patients and Caregivers: Without telehealth, patients would face increased travel time and costs, time off work, and logistical challenges, especially for specialty appointments. This burden is particularly heavy for those managing complex conditions or relying on caregivers.
- Provider Burnout and Administrative Chaos: Healthcare providers and systems would once again face the administrative nightmare of adapting to changing regulations, rescheduling appointments, and navigating a confusing policy landscape. This uncertainty contributes to provider burnout and detracts from focusing on patient care.
- Stifled Innovation: A lack of permanent policy discourages long-term investment in telehealth infrastructure, technology, and training. Providers and innovators are hesitant to commit resources to a service whose future remains uncertain, thereby slowing progress in virtual care delivery.
- Economic Consequences: Disrupted care can lead to more expensive emergency interventions and hospitalizations. Increased travel costs and lost productivity for patients and caregivers also represent a significant economic drain.
The Promise of Permanent Access:
- Enhanced Health Equity: Permanent telehealth ensures that high-quality care is accessible to all, regardless of zip code, mobility status, or socioeconomic standing. It democratizes access to specialists, mental health professionals, and chronic disease management programs. For the Epilepsy Alliance America, this means consistent access to neurologists and epileptologists, critical for managing a complex condition that often requires specialized expertise.
- Improved Chronic Disease Management: For conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension, regular virtual check-ups, medication management, and remote monitoring can significantly improve patient adherence, prevent complications, and enhance quality of life. Patients can proactively manage their health without the logistical hurdles of frequent in-person visits.
- Stronger Mental Health Support: As highlighted by ABHW, permanent telehealth is a cornerstone of a robust mental health system, ensuring that individuals can start and continue care without disruption, addressing the severe provider shortages and accessibility challenges.
- Patient-Centered Care: Telehealth empowers patients by offering flexibility and convenience, allowing them to integrate healthcare more seamlessly into their lives. This patient-centric approach can lead to higher satisfaction and better engagement in their own health.
- Resilient Healthcare System: A stable telehealth policy strengthens the overall healthcare infrastructure, making it more adaptable to future public health crises, natural disasters, or unexpected surges in demand. It ensures continuity of care even when traditional in-person access is challenging.
- Fostering Innovation: With permanent statutory authority, healthcare organizations and technology companies can confidently invest in developing advanced telehealth platforms, remote monitoring devices, and AI-driven diagnostic tools, propelling the healthcare system into a more technologically advanced and efficient future.
- Economic Savings: By preventing costly emergency room visits, reducing readmissions, and optimizing resource allocation, permanent telehealth can contribute to significant long-term savings within the Medicare program and for individual patients.
The Coalition’s Commitments:
Recognizing the high stakes, coalition leaders and pledge signatories are not merely waiting for Congress to act. They are committing to a proactive and sustained campaign:
- Educating Voters: Launching comprehensive public awareness campaigns to inform voters about the critical role of telehealth and the need for permanent policies, encouraging them to engage with their elected officials.
- Engaging Policymakers: Intensifying direct advocacy efforts with Members of Congress and their staff, providing data, patient stories, and policy recommendations to build consensus and support for legislative action.
- Building Legislative Momentum: Working collaboratively to identify bipartisan legislative vehicles and championing bills that would establish permanent Medicare telehealth coverage, ensuring a strong "fall legislative push" leading up to the 2027 deadline.
- Highlighting Real-World Impacts: Continuously collecting and disseminating stories and data illustrating how telehealth directly benefits patients, especially those with chronic conditions, mental health needs, and in underserved communities.
These activities, strictly nonpartisan and focused solely on the policy merits, aim to ensure that permanent Medicare telehealth coverage becomes an undeniable national priority. The diverse coalition, including patient advocacy organizations, clinician associations, hospitals and health systems, and technology companies, is poised to make a powerful case that the future of American healthcare depends on this critical legislative action.
To learn more about the Telehealth Voters Pledge and the growing coalition working to make permanent Medicare telehealth a national priority, visit connectwithcare.org/pledge. The time for temporary solutions is over; the call for permanent access is now.
