FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON May 19, 2022
Neurologists Call to Expand Telehealth Access at Neurology on the Hill
MINNEAPOLIS – The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) will be holding its 20th annual “Neurology on the Hill” May 23 and 24, 2022. The event will include 170 neurologists representing 41 states who will meet with federal lawmakers both in person and virtually in Washington, D.C. They will discuss the critical role of telehealth services in maintaining access to care for people with neurologic conditions such as migraine, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, ALS and epilepsy, and offer strategies that would support and strengthen the neurology workforce, which has been significantly impacted since the COVID-19 pandemic. During Neurology on the Hill, neurologists will be asking lawmakers to cosponsor the Telehealth Extension and Evaluation Act (S. 3592/H.R. 7573) to maintain access to telehealth for people with neurologic conditions for at least two years following the public health emergency that was declared during the COVID-19 pandemic. By removing obstacles for people with neurologic conditions that accompany a traditional in-office visit, people could see an improvement in their continuity of care. People with neurologic conditions often struggle with mobility issues that can make it difficult to leave home, find transportation and attend doctor visits that are often required to monitor disease progression and adjust medications. “In order to protect the people they treat during the COVID-19 pandemic, neurologists have had to reshape their delivery of care by increasing access to telehealth services,” said Orly Avitzur, MD, MBA, FAAN, President of the American Academy of Neurology. “Virtual visits provide an essential service to people with neurologic conditions because many have ambulatory difficulties and other challenges that make travel burdensome. Telehealth visits improve the quality of care over time. It is important for Congress to understand that neurology providers remain one of the highest users of telehealth services. Removing these capabilities would have a significant impact.” Neurologists also recognize that with the expansion of telehealth services, access to audio-only telephone-based services must be included to ensure that people who live in communities where access to reliable cell phone and internet service is limited are able to receive care. In addition, as the population ages in the United States, there is a growing need for increased access to specialized care due to the likelihood of more Americans developing chronic neurologic conditions in the future. “It’s important we continue to allow neurologists and people with neurologic conditions to utilize the resources that are currently in place through telehealth services,” said Bruce H. Cohen, MD, FAAN, Chair of the American Academy of Neurology’s Advocacy Committee. “Not only can people with neurologic conditions receive care from the comfort of their home, telehealth also makes health care more accessible especially to those with disabilities, reduces the expense of travel and loss of work time, and can reduce the overall cost of health care delivery.” The American Academy of Neurology will be also advocating to support and strengthen the neurology workforce by requesting lawmakers to cosponsor the Resident Physician Shortage Act of 2021 (S. 834/H.R. 2256) and the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act (S. 1810/H.R. 3541). In addition, they will ask Congress to support the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2021 (S. 3018/H.R.3173) and the Safe Step Act (S.464/H.R. 2163), which would both ensure timely access to care for people with neurologic disease. Follow Neurology on the Hill on social media with the hashtag #NOH22.