Assembly Bill 32, introduced by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, will ensure that telehealth and telephonic care is available to Medi-Cal patients beyond the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, which will expire on December 2021. The California Health Benefits Review Program (CHBRP) completed an analysis regarding the benefits, effectiveness and cost of Assembly Bill 32. The Assembly Health Committee is scheduled to review Assembly Bill 32, and will vote on the legislation at their committee meeting taking place on April 27. We need your help in reminding the Assembly Health Committee and our state legislators why telehealth and telephonic care is important when providing comprehensive health care to our patients, and to continue urging them to make payment for video and audio-only telehealth permanent by voting in support of Assembly Bill 32.
Why telehealth is important to our patients:
• Telehealth makes up over 45% of our patient visits, and continues to allow our patients to receive care safely from their home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Telehealth visits are full, comprehensive medical visits that support and benefit both patients and our health care providers.
• Telehealth reduces missed doctor appointment rates by decreasing barriers for patients such as lack of transportation and lack of child care.
The Assembly Health Committee is hosting a hearing on Assembly Bill 32 very soon. Take action by expressing why you support Assembly Bill 32, and share why video and audio telehealth visits are important to our patients and the community we serve. Click here for a toolkit with instructions and suggested messages for you to call or email the Assembly Health Committee in support of Assembly Bill 32.
