Statement from Ann Mond Johnson, CEO, American Telemedicine Association (ATA) Responding to President Trump’s Executive Order on Telehealth
WASHINGTON, DC, AUGUST 4, 2020 – The Executive Order signed by President Trump to expand telehealth services for Medicare populations and improve access to care in rural areas signals, loud and clear, the Administration’s continued support for telehealth and virtual care. We applaud the Administration, as well as telehealth champions in Congress for taking the necessary steps to ensure individuals receive the care they need during this national health emergency and indicating support for extending telehealth post-pandemic.
“But there is more work that needs to be done, on both the Federal and state levels, to cement these gains and make permanent the waivers put in place in response to COVID-19. The stresses on our healthcare system were well-documented prior to the pandemic – including crippling provider shortages, escalating costs, and an aging population – and will only be exacerbated as our nation begins to recover from this health crisis. We have an unprecedented opportunity to modernize our healthcare system and appropriately leverage the technologies already available to deliver quality care, improve clinical outcomes, and increase patient and provider satisfaction by integrating telehealth in our nation’s healthcare delivery.
“The ATA will continue to work with policymakers at every level of government to create clarity around the future of virtual care services, secure necessary legislation, and ensure reimbursement for telehealth that will extend access to safe, convenient, quality healthcare to all individuals whenever and wherever they need it.” Ann Mond Johnson, CEO, the American Telemedicine Association (ATA)
