Prioritize telehealth access for Medicare beneficiaries beyond March 31st

Extending Medicare telehealth coverage beyond March 31st is imperative to ensure continued access to vital medical services for millions of beneficiaries. The pandemic demonstrated the profound benefits of telehealth, enabling patients to receive care conveniently from home, better manage chronic conditions, and avoid unnecessary exposure risks. Those with mobility challenges, in rural areas, or dealing with transportation barriers have been able to connect with providers remotely. Nearly half of Medicare beneficiaries utilized telehealth early in the pandemic, signifying its widespread acceptance and importance. Failure to renew this provision would represent a major step backwards, jeopardizing healthcare access for our nation's seniors and the most vulnerable populations. Telehealth has proven an invaluable tool in delivering quality care while reducing strain on the healthcare system. Its broader adoption has been immensely positive, and allowing this coverage to expire would undermine progress made over the past three years. Telehealth's ability to overcome geographic barriers and provide continuity of care must be safeguarded. Telehealth's value extends beyond Medicare, influencing coverage decisions across the healthcare landscape. As leaders in healthcare policy, renewing this coverage reinforces our commitment to leveraging technology to enhance care delivery and equity. A permanent extension aligns with our shared goals of improving healthcare access and outcomes for all Americans. Urgent action is needed to prevent disruptions and uphold telehealth as an integral component of modern healthcare.