Telehealth flexibilities implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic clearly work and should be made permanent, the Academy and more than 300 other national, regional and state health care organizations told congressional leaders in a June 29 letter.(9 page PDF)

At the same time, the AAFP advised lawmakers in a July 1 letter(3 page PDF) co-signed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians, any such policy update must support the medical home and discourage fragmentation of care.

The need for legislative action is urgent. Although HHS said it plans to extend(www.modernhealthcare.com) the designation of a public health emergency past the previously announced date of July 25, the waivers that allowed for rapid expansion of virtual care during the pandemic expire when the emergency ends.