I am a cancer specialist, journeying between two outreach cancer clinics in Lamar and Trinidad Colorado.  the COVID pandemic, Medicare has provided coverage for home telehealth visits for all Medicare beneficiaries. In the rural setting, these home telehealth visits provide patients with a valuable link to their healthcare team and help avoid more than 4-6 hours (or more) of costly travel. 

Beginning in April 2025, patients in rural communities will need to travel to a local clinic to access telehealth services. Unfortunately, many local clinics do not have the infrastructure to accommodate these visits, and many patients will still need to travel > 50 miles to their nearest clinic.  Home telehealth visits are much easier and more efficient for patients and their caregivers.  

As a physician, I strongly believe that all Americans should be able to access healthcare, regardless of where they live. As internet access becomes more widely available and less expensive, Medicare should be expanding telehealth services, rather than making these services harder to access.  Data from the Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) affirms that the advancement of telehealth has made a considerable difference in the healthcare landscape especially for the 20% of the American population living in rural areas. 

Let us urge Medicare to stay at the forefront of telehealth advancements and continue coverage for rural home telehealth visits beyond April 1, 2025. The survival of patients, their quality of life, and the wellbeing of countless rural families depend on this. Please join me in this endeavor by signing this petition.