We learned the value of telehealth during the pandemic: Congress must act now to extend it

The following op-ed by NHC Chief Executive Officer Randall Rutta was published by The Hill on Aug. 19, 2021. Read an excerpt below or click here to read the full piece.

“Sharon Radtke from Milton, Vt., knows the value of telehealth. During a recent Capitol Hill briefing, Sharon described how she used telemedicine to manage a flare-up of her rare, blistering skin disease that required the knowledge of a specialist — located nearly 400 miles away in Philadelphia. 

Telehealth is a “godsend” for Sharon, allowing her to manage her rare disease and to participate directly with her husband’s doctors during his telehealth visits — something that has not been possible during a pandemic when only the patient and doctor can be in the room.

In the coming weeks, Democratic and Republican senators and representatives will debate several proposals to extend telehealth provisions that were put in place during the COVID-19 public health emergency.  

What we found should help shape telehealth policy going forward.”  

Click here to read the full piece.