Recognizing that telehealth provides vital services to people across the country, Compassion & Choices has fought for telehealth to become a standard part of medicine in the United States since 2020. 

Telehealth fills a critical gap for people who live in rural areas with few or no healthcare providers. Yet without reliable, high-speed internet, many are unable to access telehealth services — such as video visits with doctors or communicating through an online patient portal.

A new analysis by KFF Health News found that nearly 3 million Americans live in so-called “dead zones” that lack access to primary care providers, behavioral health specialists, and strong internet. 

The consequences are dire. Impacted individuals are more likely to experience greater illness and die at a younger age than others in the United States.

These “dead zones” are concentrated in rural areas across Appalachia and the South and West. They are also areas that have faced historic inequities and continue to experience high rates of poverty. In contrast, counties with strong internet access and ample healthcare providers correlate with higher life expectancy, lower rates of chronic disease, and lifestyle factors such as higher incomes and education levels.

To address these disparities, states are expected to receive $42 billion in funding this year as part of a national “Internet for All” initiative launched by the Biden administration. This funding was allocated in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with the goal of connecting all communities to high-speed internet. 

However, the program and its funding face uncertainty under the new administration. Additionally, in January, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) proposed a new rule that threatens telehealth access. 

If finalized, the rule would create barriers to accessing necessary medications for palliative care and hospice patients. Through leading collaborations and the formal comment process, Compassion & Choices urged the DEA to work with Congress to advance a safe, permanent pathway for practitioners to continue providing robust telehealth care.

Compassion & Choices actively monitors and responds to proposed policy changes that impact end-of-life medicine and healthcare, including telehealth. But your help is needed. You can advance quality end-of-life care and options for you and your loved ones by attending an upcoming event and inviting your friends to join, contacting your legislators, or volunteering in your community.

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