AMAZON’S SARAH-LLOYD STEVENSON NAMED CHAIR OF THE ATA POLICY COUNCIL, ADDS SEVEN NEW MEMBERS

WASHINGTON, DC, JANUARY 26, 2024 – With telehealth policy decisions looming by the end of 2024, as Congress and the Biden Administration determine the future of access to vital virtual care services in the U.S., the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) is pleased to announce that Sarah-Lloyd Stevenson, MPH, a senior manager within Public Policy at Amazon, has been named the new chair of the ATA Policy Council. The ATA also announced seven new members joined the council. The ATA Policy Council helps the ATA chart a path forward on the important telehealth policy questions facing the healthcare industry, guided by the ATA’s Policy Principles, which provide a clear roadmap and vision for federal and state telehealth policy that is technology, modality and site neutral.

Sarah-Lloyd replaces Mary Griskewicz, MS, FHIMSS, director of federal policy for Evernorth, a Cigna Group company, as chair of the Policy Council. Mary will remain on the Policy Council as immediate past chair.

“Sarah-Lloyd has been a staunch supporter and advocate for telehealth policy to ensure permanent access to needed virtual care services. She brings deep experience in healthcare policy, previously serving as a policy advisor to the White House, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, and members of Congress,” said Kyle Zebley, ATA’s senior vice president, public policy, and executive director, ATA Action. “We are fortunate to have Sarah-Lloyd’s leadership and insights as we continue to push for telehealth policies that do not leave anyone on the sidelines, unable to access safe, affordable and effective healthcare where and when they need it.”

The ATA and ATA Action’s top priority is to remove obstacles to virtual care in state and national policy. This includes making permanent all Medicare telehealth flexibilities implemented during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), which are set to expire by year-end. The ATA continues to urge the Administration and Congressional leaders to create comprehensive permanent telehealth reform.

“Our thanks to Mary Griskewicz, who led the Policy Council through a critical year of telehealth policy milestones that brought us to the goal line. We’re grateful that she will return as immediate past chair, to help ensure victory for telehealth in 2024, at both the state and federal levels,” Zebley added.

ATA Policy Council members have expertise in public policy, law and/or government affairs and hold a policy or legal role in their respective organizations. Following are the seven new members joining the Policy Council for a two-year term:

• Thomas (TJ) Ferrante, Foley & Lardner
• Kara Gainer, Walmart
• Mercer May, Teladoc Health
• Ryan McDevitt, Pfizer
• Lisa Robin, Federation of State Medical Boards
• Andrew Van Ostrand, hims & hers
• Dylan Wheeler, Sanford Health

“As we continue to advocate for telehealth permanency, the ATA Policy Council serves as our bedrock. We’re grateful for the work of the Policy Council and welcome the expertise and unique insights of our newest Council members, as well as the continued efforts of returning members, Alyssa Keefe, CommonSpirit Health, and Leslie Krigstein, Transcarent, during this unprecedented time for telehealth and virtual care.”

The ATA Policy Council makes final determinations as to policy positions taken by the ATA and ATA Action, the ATA’s affiliated trade organization working to support the enactment of state and federal telehealth coverage and appropriate payment policies to secure telehealth access for all Americans, including those in rural and underserved communities.

The ATA Policy Council achievements in 2023 included:

• ATA Published Health Data Privacy Principles
  • Ensured alignment with the ATA’s Policy Principles.
• ATA Published Artificial Intelligence Principles
  • Ensured alignment with the ATA’s Policy Principles.
• ATA Comments on Federal Trade Commission Health Breach Notification Rule
• A new issue for the ATA, the Policy Council reviewed and provided comments on the final submission.
• ATA on Mental Health Parity Rule
• Ensured the ATA was on the right track and covered all the bases in its comments.
• ATA Special Registration Recommendations to the DEA
• Assisted in drafting and reviewing the ATA’s recommendations.
• ATA Submitted Comprehensive Comments in Response to CY2024 Physician Fee Schedule
• Reviewed and provided input on the ATA’s comments.

About the ATA

As the only organization completely focused on advancing telehealth, the American Telemedicine Association is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to safe, affordable, and appropriate care when and where they need it, enabling the system to do more good for more people. The ATA represents a broad and inclusive member network of leading healthcare delivery systems, academic institutions, technology solution providers and payers, as well as partner organizations and alliances, working to advance industry adoption of telehealth, promote responsible policy, advocate for government and market normalization, and provide education and resources to help integrate virtual care into emerging value-based delivery models.