U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) on May 13 led a bipartisan request that additional federal funds be provided in forthcoming emergency relief packages for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) COVID-19 Telehealth Program.
“With the COVID-19 pandemic limiting access to health care, millions of Americans are relying on telemedicine to receive health care services,” wrote Rep. Katko and U.S. Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA) in a letter sent to congressional leaders. “It is incumbent on Congress to ensure healthcare providers have the necessary resources and infrastructure to provide care via telemedicine.”
With local healthcare providers limiting in-person medical care, Rep. Katko said in a statement that residents in central New York are relying on telemedicine to receive vital services during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Particularly, for those suffering from mental illnesses and substance use disorders, telehealth services are important for allowing consistency in treatment,” he said.
Authorized by the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the FCC’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program provides direct assistance to eligible healthcare providers to fund telehealth infrastructure needs, including telecommunications services, information services and telemedicine devices.
“Since the FCC’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program was authorized under the CARES Act, it has helped medical facilities develop the infrastructure necessary to provide telehealth services to patients,” Rep. Katko said. “But with unprecedented demand for these services, many local providers are still lacking the resources and infrastructure they need.”
“The circumstances of this pandemic have impacted American lives in every aspect,” according to the lawmakers’ letter. “It is important that we continue to support our healthcare providers as they meet the challenges of the pandemic and work to provide quality health care to their patients through telehealth services.”