Throughout the current COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth services have been utilized more than ever before in order to safely provide individuals with the services they need. These services have been a huge support in a time when individuals are being asked to stay in their homes and away from others. To promote the continued use of telehealth, the Expanded Telehealth Access Act was introduced into the House of Representatives on March 23rd, 2021. The passing of this bill would permanently allow audiologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and other providers designated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide telehealth services under Medicare. There are so many benefits to telehealth services across multiple medical disciplines and research shows patient satisfaction with these services. The passing of this act can ensure that individuals continue to experience the benefits and work toward reaching their health goals. 

As occupational therapy students at Worcester State University, we are researching the Expanded Telehealth Access Act to gain a better understanding of its impact on our profession, as well as, other professions and clients. Through the creation of this petition and other action steps, our goal is to increase education regarding the act and receive responses from the co-sponsors of the act (Senator Daines, Senator Smith, Senator Morgan, Senator Collins, and Senator Rosen). The completed petition and infographic will be sent to the mentioned senators to provide evidence on the importance of telehealth and show the positive responses to the act. Please take a minute to read our research and sign our petition to show your support of this act and contribute to the push for the continued use of telehealth in healthcare. 

Check out the infographic we created using current research to show the benefits of telehealth services:

https://www.canva.com/design/DAE5pecIvds/wnqstpHgfZyg-y2_FSS_Vg/view?utm_content=DAE5pecIvds&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink

Click the link below to view the act in its entirety and track its progress toward getting passed:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2168