Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer visited Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville Tuesday to advocate for the extension of Medicare’s telehealth program, set to expire at the end of the year without Congressional action. Schumer described telehealth as a “lifeline, not a luxury” for rural communities, especially seniors in areas like the Southern Tier, where access to in-person care can be challenging.
Telehealth, widely adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic, has helped reduce wait times and improved accessibility for vulnerable populations. Schumer warned that losing reimbursement for telehealth services would increase travel burdens, delay care, and strain rural hospitals like Jones Memorial, where telehealth visits rose 42% in 2023. He aims to make telehealth a permanent option for Medicare recipients.
The program’s lapse could leave millions of seniors without coverage for telehealth visits, jeopardizing care for those most in need, particularly in rural New York counties with high rates of chronic illness and mobility issues.
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