A National Imperative: Healthcare Coalition Demands Permanent Telehealth Access for Medicare Beneficiaries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEnJuly 23, 2026

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WASHINGTON D.C. – In a resounding display of unity and urgency, more than 200 healthcare organizations, clinicians, and patient advocacy groups, including the prominent Epilepsy Alliance America, converged on Capitol Hill today to press Congress for permanent Medicare telehealth coverage. The coalition, spearheading the "Telehealth Voters Pledge," emphatically called for an end to the cycle of short-term extensions, emphasizing that consistent access to virtual care is not a luxury but a fundamental necessity for millions of Americans.

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The event, hosted by the Alliance for Connected Care, saw patients, clinicians, and health system leaders deliver the pivotal pledge to Members of Congress. Their message was clear: the current telehealth flexibilities, set to expire on December 31, 2027, must be codified into permanent law to avert another crisis in patient care, reminiscent of the disruptive lapse experienced in 2025.

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Epilepsy Alliance America, a vocal advocate for comprehensive care access, proudly affirmed its stand with the expansive coalition. "Epilepsy Alliance America is proud to stand with more than 200 health care organizations in this effort to protect Telehealth Access," stated a representative from the organization, underscoring the critical role virtual care plays in managing chronic conditions and ensuring continuity of treatment for vulnerable populations. For individuals managing complex neurological conditions like epilepsy, reliable access to specialists, medication management, and mental health support through telehealth can significantly reduce barriers to care, prevent seizures, and improve overall quality of life. The potential disruption from a lapse in coverage could have severe consequences for patients needing consistent monitoring and support.

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The Call for Permanent Access: Main Facts Unveiled

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The gathering on Capitol Hill was a powerful culmination of growing concern and advocacy within the healthcare community. With the December 2027 deadline looming, the coalition’s unified voice aimed to prevent a repeat of past disruptions and secure a stable future for virtual healthcare within the Medicare system.

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A Unified Front on Capitol Hill

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The event, sponsored by Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA), brought together a diverse array of stakeholders. Their presence, alongside featured speaker Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV), underscored the strong bipartisan support behind the movement. This cross-party consensus highlights the universal recognition of telehealth’s value, transcending typical political divides. The representatives spoke passionately about the transformative impact of telehealth, particularly for their constituents in rural and underserved areas, and the imperative for Congress to act decisively.

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Chris Adamec, Executive Director of the Alliance for Connected Care, minced no words in his address. "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 asserted. His remarks encapsulated the frustration felt by many across the healthcare spectrum who have witnessed the stop-and-go nature of telehealth policy. "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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The Telehealth Voters Pledge: A Commitment to Continuity

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The core of today’s action was the delivery of the Telehealth Voters Pledge, a document signed by an unprecedented number of healthcare organizations, clinicians, and patient advocacy groups. This pledge serves as a clear declaration of intent, urging lawmakers to prioritize patient access over political expediency. By signing, organizations commit to advocating tirelessly for permanent telehealth coverage, educating voters, and holding elected officials accountable for their stance on this critical issue. The pledge represents a strategic effort to frame telehealth access as a key electoral issue in upcoming cycles, ensuring it remains at the forefront of legislative debates.

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The coalition includes a broad spectrum of healthcare entities, ranging from patient advocacy organizations representing specific disease states, like the Epilepsy Alliance America, to large hospital systems, clinician associations representing various medical specialties, and innovative technology companies driving the virtual care revolution. This diversity is a testament to telehealth’s wide-ranging applicability and the universal benefit it offers across the entire healthcare continuum.

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A History of Uncertainty: Chronology of Telehealth Flexibilities

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The current debate over permanent telehealth coverage is rooted in a dynamic and often uncertain policy landscape, significantly shaped by the exigencies of the recent past.

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The Pandemic’s Catalyst and Subsequent Lapses

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Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare telehealth coverage was largely restrictive, limiting virtual care to specific circumstances and locations. However, the unprecedented public health emergency forced a rapid expansion of telehealth flexibilities. These emergency measures, enacted to ensure continued access to care while minimizing in-person contact, quickly demonstrated telehealth’s immense potential. Patients and providers alike embraced virtual visits, leading to a dramatic increase in adoption rates and a growing appreciation for its convenience, efficiency, and accessibility.

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As the immediate crisis subsided, Congress faced the challenge of transitioning from emergency measures to sustainable policy. Rather than enacting permanent legislation, a series of short-term extensions were implemented. While these extensions provided temporary relief, they also introduced significant uncertainty for patients, providers, and healthcare systems. The lack of long-term clarity hampered investment in telehealth infrastructure, complicated care planning, and left millions vulnerable to sudden shifts in policy.

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Learning from Past Disruptions: The 2025 Lapse

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The most recent and impactful example of this policy uncertainty occurred in 2025, when a lapse in Medicare telehealth coverage flexibilities sent shockwaves through the healthcare system. This period, though relatively brief, caused widespread disruption, illustrating in stark terms the real-world consequences of congressional inaction.

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During the 2025 lapse:

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• Patient Care Disrupted: Thousands of scheduled telehealth appointments were abruptly cancelled, forcing patients, particularly those with chronic conditions, to reschedule in-person visits or delay care entirely. This was especially problematic for individuals in rural areas who faced significant travel burdens, and for those with mobility issues or disabilities.

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• Mental Health Access Severely Impacted: With many mental health services transitioning to virtual platforms during the pandemic, the lapse cut off a vital lifeline for individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and other behavioral health challenges. The sudden loss of continuity of care exacerbated existing mental health crises for many.

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• Provider Uncertainty and Financial Strain: Healthcare providers, who had invested in telehealth technology and adapted their workflows, faced immediate operational challenges and financial uncertainty. Many were forced to scale back virtual services, leading to staff reallocations and potential revenue losses. This instability discouraged future investment in telehealth infrastructure and innovation.

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• Increased Healthcare Costs: In some cases, patients who couldn’t access timely virtual care ended up in emergency departments for conditions that could have been managed remotely, leading to higher costs for both patients and the healthcare system.

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The painful lessons of 2025 serve as a powerful cautionary tale, reinforcing the coalition’s argument that permanent, statutory authority for telehealth is not merely a preference but an urgent operational and ethical necessity.

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The Indisputable Evidence: Supporting Data and Impact

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The arguments for permanent telehealth access are not merely anecdotal; they are supported by a growing body of evidence demonstrating its profound positive impact across various facets of healthcare.

Expanding Mental Health Services

The mental health crisis in the United States has reached epidemic proportions, and telehealth has emerged as a crucial tool in addressing provider shortages and improving access to care. Debbie Witchey, President and CEO of the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW), highlighted this critical need. "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.," Witchey stated. "Allowing permanent Medicare telehealth services and repealing the mental health services in-person requirement will protect access to care and ensure individuals start or continue their care without disruption."

Tele-mental health has proven particularly effective for its convenience, privacy, and ability to connect patients with specialists regardless of geographic location. For many, virtual therapy sessions remove barriers like transportation, childcare, and the stigma associated with in-person visits, making it easier to seek and maintain consistent care.

Critical for Vulnerable Populations

Telehealth has been a game-changer for some of the most vulnerable segments of the population, including seniors, individuals in rural and underserved communities, and those requiring end-of-life care.

Bernadette Nunley, Chief Legal Advocacy Officer for Compassion & Choices, underscored its importance for end-of-life planning and palliative care. "Compassion & Choices is committed to advocating for making Medicare telehealth coverage permanent," said Nunley. "This access is important for ensuring that our constituencies are able to routinely check in with their clinicians without the burden of leaving home. Telehealth has been shown to expand access to palliative care specialists, hospice consultations, and symptom management, which is especially important for folks at end-of-life. Telehealth also makes the completion and periodic updating of advance care plans easier and therefore more likely." For patients facing serious illness, the ability to consult with providers from the comfort of their home significantly reduces physical and emotional strain.

Jon Thiboutot, President of Retail Health at CVS Health, reiterated the benefits for older adults. "It is time for permanent Medicare telehealth policy that protects access for older adults across the U.S. and reduces uncertainty for patients and providers alike. I’m proud that CVS Health has supported these flexibilities since the pandemic – 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."

Telehealth as Essential Infrastructure

Mordy Eisenberg, Co-Founder of Tapestry Health, offered a powerful analogy, declaring, "Telehealth isn’t a convenience, it’s infrastructure." His statement highlights how integral virtual care has become, particularly in settings like skilled nursing and long-term care facilities. "In skilled nursing and long-term care, virtual clinical access is often the difference between a resident being stabilized in their bed at 2 a.m. or being shipped to an ED for a condition that could have been managed on-site. Permanent telehealth access isn’t a partisan issue. It’s a basic question of whether we believe frail elders and rural Americans deserve the same standard of care as everyone else," Eisenberg emphasized. This perspective frames telehealth not as an optional add-on, but as a foundational component of a resilient and equitable healthcare system.

Chad Ellimoottil, MD, MS, Medical Director of Virtual Care at University of Michigan Health, echoed this sentiment for seniors. "Permanent Medicare telehealth policy is essential to protecting access to timely, high-quality care for America’s seniors, and we are committed to educating voters and policymakers about the need to move beyond temporary extensions and create lasting statutory authority for telehealth in 2026."

The Healthcare Leadership Council further stressed the impact on remote populations: "Telehealth has become an essential lifeline for Americans to access care, particularly those in rural and underserved communities where getting to or even booking in-person visits can be difficult. We are committed to working with policymakers to move beyond temporary extensions and establish permanent Medicare telehealth policies that provide certainty for patients and providers to strengthen care delivery nationwide."

Heidi McIntosh, MSW, Chief Operating Officer of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), reiterated the professional perspective. "The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) hears from social workers across the country about the importance and efficacy of telemental health. Social workers and their clients should not have to face recurring lapses in care while telehealth is not permanently extended. NASW is committed to making permanent telehealth a reality."

Official Responses and Bipartisan Momentum

The strong showing of bipartisan congressional support at today’s event signals a growing recognition within the legislative body of telehealth’s enduring value and the imperative for permanent solutions.

Congressional Allies Speak Out

The presence and active participation of Representatives Matsui, Thompson, and Miller send a powerful message that securing telehealth access is not a niche issue but one with broad appeal and significant policy implications. Reps. Matsui and Thompson, as event sponsors, have been long-standing champions of connected care, understanding its potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery. Rep. Miller’s participation, representing the Republican side of the aisle, highlights the nonpartisan nature of the issue, particularly its resonance in improving access for rural communities often impacted by healthcare deserts. Their collective advocacy demonstrates a legislative pathway forward, emphasizing that a unified approach is both possible and necessary.

Voices from the Coalition: Industry Leaders and Advocates

The array of quotes from coalition leaders provides a comprehensive look at the diverse benefits and critical importance of permanent telehealth. From mental health organizations grappling with severe provider shortages to end-of-life care advocates seeking to ease patient burdens, and retail health giants observing daily patient needs, the consensus is clear. These leaders represent the front lines of healthcare delivery and patient advocacy, providing irrefutable evidence from their direct experiences that telehealth is not a temporary fix but a vital, transformative component of modern healthcare. Their unified appeal adds significant weight to the legislative push, demonstrating that the demand for permanent access is widespread and deeply felt across the entire healthcare ecosystem.

Broader Implications and The Path Forward

The drive for permanent Medicare telehealth coverage extends far beyond a simple policy adjustment; it touches upon the fundamental principles of healthcare equity, efficiency, and resilience.

The Stakes for Patient Care and Healthcare Delivery

The implications of failing to enact permanent telehealth legislation are profound. For patients, it means continued uncertainty, potential disruptions to ongoing care, and the reintroduction of significant barriers to access, especially for those who are geographically isolated, mobility-impaired, or managing complex chronic conditions. For healthcare providers, the instability hinders long-term planning, investment in technology, and the development of integrated care models that blend in-person and virtual services. It also creates administrative burdens and increases the risk of provider burnout.

Furthermore, the economic implications are substantial. Permanent telehealth can lead to reduced healthcare costs by decreasing unnecessary emergency room visits, lowering travel expenses for patients, and improving chronic disease management, which can prevent more costly complications. It also promotes efficiency within the healthcare system, allowing providers to optimize their schedules and reach a broader patient base. The ability to innovate and expand virtual care models is contingent on a stable policy environment.

The Coalition’s Strategic Commitments

Recognizing the multifaceted nature of this legislative challenge, the coalition leaders and pledge signatories are committing to a comprehensive strategy aimed at building momentum ahead of a fall legislative push:

• Voter Education and Engagement: Launching targeted public awareness campaigns to educate voters about the benefits of permanent telehealth and the consequences of its lapse. This includes developing resources and tools for voters to engage with their elected officials on this issue.
• Direct Advocacy and Lobbying: Intensifying direct lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill, engaging with key congressional committees, and providing lawmakers with compelling data and patient stories that illustrate the real-world impact of telehealth.
• Data Collection and Research: Continuing to gather and disseminate robust data on the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and patient satisfaction rates associated with telehealth, providing an evidence-based foundation for policy decisions.
• Partnership Building: Expanding the coalition to include even more diverse stakeholders, ensuring a broad and unified front that represents the full spectrum of healthcare needs and interests.
• Congressional Accountability: Holding Members of Congress accountable for their commitment to permanent telehealth access, particularly in the lead-up to the 2026 midterm elections and beyond.

These activities are strictly nonpartisan, focusing solely on the policy merits of permanent Medicare telehealth coverage. The coalition’s strength lies in its diverse composition, encompassing patient advocacy organizations, clinician associations, hospitals and health systems, and technology companies spanning the entire healthcare spectrum.

Beyond 2027: Securing the Future of Connected Care

As the clock ticks towards December 31, 2027, the stakes for patients and the healthcare system could not be higher. The message delivered today on Capitol Hill by the Telehealth Voters Pledge coalition is unequivocal: the time for temporary fixes is over. Congress has a clear mandate and a compelling body of evidence to establish permanent Medicare telehealth coverage, ensuring that connected care remains an accessible, reliable, and integral part of healthcare delivery for all Americans, especially those who rely on it most. The future of equitable, efficient, and patient-centered healthcare hinges on this legislative action, guaranteeing that the vital lifeline of telehealth is secured for generations to come.

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.