Several prominent organizations, like HCA Healthcare and Walmart, have joined the group as founding council members to advocate for permanent access to telehealth.

As policymakers consider the numerous telehealth bills placed before them, a new advocacy organization has entered the scene: ATA Action.

Launched by the American Telemedicine Association, the new trade organization will focus on ensuring individuals have permanent access to telehealth. ATA Action will advocate for permanent state and federal telehealth coverage as well as the necessary reimbursement policies.

The new group includes a slew of prominent organizations that have come on board as members of its Founding Advocacy Council. These include HCA Healthcare, LifePoint Health, Philips, Best Buy Health, Intermountain Healthcare, Walmart, and Teladoc Health.

The organization plans to add members in the coming year, according to Kyle Zebley, vice president of public policy at the American Telemedicine Association, who will also serve as the executive director of ATA Action.

“Over the past two-plus years, telehealth has proven to be a lifeline to patients with limited or no access to necessary care,” said Zebley in the news release. We will continue to work closely with our members, telehealth policy champions and other stakeholders to wage an even stronger campaign to avoid the looming ‘telehealth cliff.'”

ATA Action will follow the American Telemedicine Association’s policy principles, which include extending reimbursement to incentivize virtual care and expanding access for underserved and at-risk populations.

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Published online: January 24, 2022

Author: Anuja Vaidya