Healthcare Coalition Rallies on Capitol Hill, Demands Permanent Telehealth Access for Millions of Americans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEnJuly 23, 2026

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Washington D.C. – In a powerful display of unity and advocacy, a formidable coalition of over 200 health care organizations, patient advocacy groups, and clinical associations converged on Capitol Hill today, delivering a resounding message to Congress: end the cycle of short-term extensions and enact permanent Medicare telehealth coverage. This urgent call comes as current telehealth flexibilities are set to expire on December 31, 2027, threatening to disrupt care for millions of Americans, particularly the elderly, those in rural communities, and individuals with chronic conditions like epilepsy.

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Led by the Alliance for Connected Care, the event saw patients, clinicians, and health system leaders join bipartisan Members of Congress to present the "Telehealth Voters Pledge." This critical document, signed by a diverse array of stakeholders including the Epilepsy Alliance America, underscores the widespread consensus on the indispensable role telehealth now plays in the nation’s healthcare infrastructure. The coalition’s message is clear: the time for temporary fixes is over; permanent access is essential for the future of patient care.

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The Urgent Call for Permanent Telehealth Access

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The gathering on Capitol Hill, held on July 23, 2026, served as a crucial platform to amplify the growing demand for stable and predictable telehealth policies. At the heart of this movement is the "Telehealth Voters Pledge," a declaration signed by more than 200 organizations, including leading voices like the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW), Compassion & Choices, CVS Health, Tapestry Health, University of Michigan Health, the Healthcare Leadership Council, and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Their collective voice urges Congress to learn from past mistakes and establish a lasting framework for virtual care.

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The specter of a lapse in coverage looms large, casting a shadow over the healthcare landscape. A previous disruption in 2025, when temporary telehealth provisions expired, led to significant challenges for patients across the country. This experience served as a stark reminder of the critical importance of telehealth for continuity of care, especially for vulnerable populations who rely on it for managing chronic conditions, accessing mental health services, and receiving specialized consultations without the burden of travel. For organizations like Epilepsy Alliance America, ensuring consistent access to telehealth means patients can maintain crucial neurological appointments, medication management, and support, reducing the risk of seizures and improving overall quality of life. The coalition asserts that Congress cannot afford to repeat the disruption of 2025.

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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," Adamec stated emphatically. "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. 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." His words resonated with the palpable sense of urgency felt by all participants, highlighting the human cost of legislative inaction.

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A Broad Coalition Unites: The Telehealth Voters Pledge

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The Telehealth Voters Pledge is more than just a document; it represents a unified vision for a modern, accessible healthcare system. Signed by an unparalleled cross-section of the healthcare industry, the pledge champions the notion that telehealth is not merely a convenience but a fundamental component of effective care delivery. The coalition encompasses patient advocacy organizations dedicated to specific conditions, professional clinician associations representing a vast array of medical specialties, hospitals and health systems striving to innovate care, and technology companies at the forefront of virtual health solutions.

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This diverse backing underscores the nonpartisan nature of the issue. Telehealth transcends political divides because its benefits are universally recognized: improved access to care, enhanced patient outcomes, and increased efficiency within the healthcare system. The pledge’s core demand is unambiguous: end the uncertainty caused by short-term extensions and establish permanent statutory authority for Medicare telehealth coverage. This stability is crucial for providers to invest in and integrate virtual care fully into their practice models, and for patients to rely on it without fear of sudden disruption.

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Lessons from the 2025 Lapse

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The 2025 lapse in Medicare telehealth coverage provided a stark, real-world lesson in the potential consequences of policy instability. When the temporary flexibilities expired, countless patients found themselves suddenly cut off from vital care. This disruption manifested in various ways:

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• Missed Appointments: Patients, particularly those in remote areas or with mobility challenges, struggled to revert to in-person visits, leading to missed appointments and delayed care.

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• Delayed Diagnoses and Treatment: For conditions requiring regular monitoring or immediate attention, the inability to access telehealth led to delays that could exacerbate health issues.

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• Increased Burden on Emergency Rooms: With primary care and specialist virtual visits no longer covered, some patients resorted to emergency departments for conditions that could have been managed remotely, straining already overloaded facilities.

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• Mental Health Crisis: The interruption of telemental health services was particularly acute, impacting individuals who had established crucial therapeutic relationships virtually and suddenly lost access to their support systems.

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• Provider Uncertainty: Healthcare providers, having adapted their workflows to incorporate telehealth, faced confusion and financial uncertainty, hindering their ability to plan for future care delivery models.

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These tangible impacts of the 2025 lapse serve as powerful evidence that "kicking the can down the road" is not a viable strategy. The coalition argues that the evidence is overwhelmingly in favor of permanent solutions that prioritize patient well-being and healthcare system resilience.

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Bipartisan Support on Capitol Hill

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The event garnered significant bipartisan support, underscoring the broad appeal of permanent telehealth access. The rally was proudly sponsored by Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA), both long-time champions of connected care. Their leadership in organizing the event highlights the Democratic party’s commitment to leveraging technology for healthcare access. Crucially, Representative Carol Miller (R-WV) joined as a featured speaker, lending a powerful Republican voice to the cause and emphasizing the bipartisan consensus behind the pledge.

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The presence of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle sends a strong signal that this is not a partisan issue, but rather a fundamental question of ensuring equitable and efficient healthcare for all Americans. For rural communities, often represented by Republican lawmakers, telehealth is a lifeline, bridging vast geographical distances to connect patients with specialists they might otherwise never see. For urban and suburban areas, often represented by Democrats, telehealth offers convenience, reduces wait times, and improves access to mental health services. This shared understanding of telehealth’s benefits across the political spectrum provides a strong foundation for legislative action in the upcoming fall session.

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Voices from the Frontlines: The Impact of Telehealth

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The Capitol Hill event featured poignant testimonials from a range of healthcare leaders, each illuminating a unique facet of telehealth’s transformative power. Their collective insights painted a vivid picture of how virtual care has become indispensable for diverse patient populations and healthcare settings.

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Addressing the Mental Health Crisis

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Debbie Witchey, President and CEO of the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW), highlighted the profound impact of telehealth on the nation’s burgeoning mental health crisis. "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 revealed, underscoring the severe shortage of behavioral health professionals. "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." Her statement emphasized how virtual platforms are not just supplementary but are often the primary means by which individuals can access the mental health support they desperately need, especially in underserved areas.

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End-of-Life and Palliative Care

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For patients navigating complex health journeys, telehealth offers unparalleled comfort and dignity. Bernadette Nunley, Chief Legal Advocacy Officer for Compassion & Choices, stressed the importance of virtual care in end-of-life planning and support. "Compassion & Choices is committed to advocating for making Medicare telehealth coverage permanent," Nunley stated. "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." This perspective underscores telehealth’s role in empowering patients and their families during critical life stages.

Bridging Gaps in Care Delivery

Retail health providers have also witnessed firsthand the power of virtual care in making healthcare more accessible. Jon Thiboutot, President of Retail Health at CVS Health, emphasized the role of telehealth in removing traditional barriers. "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," Thiboutot affirmed. This highlights how telehealth facilitates convenient, integrated care within community settings.

Telehealth as Essential Infrastructure

In long-term care settings, telehealth transcends convenience to become a fundamental necessity. Mordy Eisenberg, Co-Founder of Tapestry Health, passionately argued for telehealth as essential infrastructure. "Telehealth isn’t a convenience, it’s infrastructure. 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," Eisenberg explained. "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. We are proud to stand with the Alliance for Connected Care in urging every candidate in 2026 to commit to making these protections permanent." His powerful testimony underscored the life-saving potential of virtual care in critical environments.

Protecting America’s Seniors

The nation’s senior population stands to benefit immensely from permanent telehealth policies. Chad Ellimoottil, MD, MS, Medical Director of Virtual Care at University of Michigan Health, emphasized the importance of timely and high-quality care for older adults. "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," Dr. Ellimoottil stated. This highlights the long-term vision required to ensure seniors receive consistent, advanced care.

Reaching Rural and Underserved Communities

For those living in remote or underserved areas, telehealth is often the only viable link to specialized care. The Healthcare Leadership Council issued a statement emphasizing this critical role. "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," the Council stated. This reinforces telehealth’s role as an equalizer in healthcare access.

The Role of Social Work in Telemental Health

Social workers play a vital role in delivering mental health services, and telehealth has significantly expanded their reach. Heidi McIntosh, MSW, Chief Operating Officer for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), spoke to the efficacy of virtual mental health support. "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," McIntosh affirmed. Her comments highlighted the practical necessity of permanent telehealth for the continuity of crucial therapeutic relationships.

The Path Forward: Coalition Commitments and a Fall Legislative Push

Looking ahead to a critical fall legislative push, the coalition leaders and pledge signatories are not merely waiting for Congress to act; they are committing to proactive and sustained engagement. Their strategic plan involves a multi-pronged approach designed to build momentum and ensure that permanent Medicare telehealth access remains a top legislative priority.

The commitments include:

• Aggressive Public Awareness Campaigns: Launching nationwide initiatives to educate the public on the benefits of telehealth and the risks of a coverage lapse, utilizing digital media, traditional outlets, and community outreach.
• Direct Engagement with Policymakers: Intensifying lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill, conducting regular meetings with Members of Congress and their staff, and providing compelling data and patient testimonials to underscore the urgency of permanent solutions.
• Voter Education Initiatives Ahead of 2026 Elections: Informing voters about candidates’ stances on telehealth, empowering them to make informed decisions at the ballot box and encouraging them to advocate for policies that support virtual care.
• Data Collection and Dissemination on Telehealth Benefits: Commissioning and sharing research that quantifies the positive impacts of telehealth on patient outcomes, cost savings, and healthcare system efficiency, providing evidence-based arguments for policy change.
• Formation of Regional Advocacy Groups: Establishing grassroots networks across the country to mobilize local communities, share success stories, and pressure local and state representatives to support permanent federal telehealth policies.

These activities are strictly nonpartisan, focusing solely on the policy merits of permanent Medicare telehealth coverage. The broad coalition, spanning patient advocacy organizations like Epilepsy Alliance America, clinician associations, hospitals and health systems, and technology companies, is united in its mission to safeguard and expand access to care for all Americans.

The Broader Implications of Telehealth Permanence

Beyond immediate access, the establishment of permanent Medicare telehealth policies carries profound broader implications for the future of healthcare in the United States.

• Enhanced Health Equity: Permanent telehealth can significantly reduce health disparities by providing equitable access to specialists and quality care for individuals in medically underserved areas, those with disabilities, and low-income populations who face significant barriers to in-person visits.
• Economic Benefits: Telehealth reduces patient travel costs, minimizes time off work for appointments, and can decrease the burden on emergency services, leading to overall economic efficiencies within the healthcare system and for individual patients.
• Technological Advancement and Innovation: A stable policy environment encourages further investment in telehealth technologies and platforms, fostering innovation in virtual care delivery models, remote monitoring, and digital health tools.
• Improved Chronic Disease Management: For patients with chronic conditions, regular virtual check-ins facilitate proactive management, medication adherence, and early intervention, potentially preventing costly complications and improving long-term health outcomes.
• Resilience in Public Health Crises: Permanent telehealth infrastructure strengthens the nation’s ability to respond to future public health emergencies, ensuring continuity of care even when in-person visits are challenging or unsafe.

Telehealth has proven itself to be more than a temporary solution; it is a critical component of a resilient, equitable, and patient-centered healthcare system. Recognizing it as "infrastructure," as Mordy Eisenberg eloquently put it, is vital for shaping a future where high-quality care is accessible to everyone, regardless of their location or circumstances.

Conclusion: A Unified Vision for the Future of Care

The rally on Capitol Hill on July 23, 2026, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to secure permanent Medicare telehealth coverage. The unified voice of over 200 diverse organizations, from patient advocacy groups like Epilepsy Alliance America to major health systems and technology innovators, sends an unmistakable signal to Congress: the time for decisive action is now. The lessons of the 2025 lapse are clear, and the benefits of permanent telehealth are undeniable.

With bipartisan support already evident and a robust coalition committed to an aggressive fall legislative push, the opportunity to solidify telehealth’s place in American healthcare is within reach. By moving beyond temporary extensions and enacting lasting statutory authority, Congress can provide certainty for patients and providers alike, fostering a healthcare system that is more accessible, efficient, and responsive to the needs of all Americans. The future of healthcare depends on it.

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.