As Congress faces pressure to extend telehealth payment flexibilities, it is crucial to consider how telehealth can promote health equity. Telehealth services have been reaching marginalized populations and can help overcome traditional barriers to care. To ensure equitable access, stakeholders must address barriers such as the digital divide, language barriers, and complex consent processes. Long-term commitment from policymakers, health care providers, and technology companies is essential to sustainably expand telehealth. Research shows that providing technology, like cell phones, can help reduce unnecessary emergency room visits. Without addressing disparities in technological access, telehealth risks widening health disparities. We must make telehealth a tool to bridge gaps in health outcomes and ensure access for all.
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The Power of “Techquity”: How Telehealth Can Help Promote Health Equity
