To Continue Reducing Disparities, the State Can't Cut Telehealth Rates Now
More than 14 million Californians, or 36% of the state population, could face reduced access to telehealth if rates to Medi-Cal providers are cut in the state budget.
Access to telehealth = more equitable health care. Learn more.
Through telehealth, Planned Parenthood is meeting patients where they are and ensuring that care is accessible, no matter what. It is imperative that this option of care made available during the public health emergency does not go away post-pandemic.
“Safety net providers use the phone for the majority of their telehealth visits, and patients are highly satisfied with this form of care. If the COVID-19 flexibilities are allowed to expire, I won’t be able to take care of [my patient] Amanda, and I don’t know what will happen to her.” – Dr. Shannon Connollly, M.D., Associate Medical Director, Planned Parenthood Orange and San Bernardino Counties
"Not only are we able to provide care in a different way, we are opening up an opportunity for a better way for more people to access care. Payment parity for all of these different modes of patient visits is already available for patients with commercial insurance. What we know is if we open that up to patients with Medi-Cal or other public programs that we’re offing them that same access to care.” - Jodi Hicks, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California
STI Rates Are Up. Don’t Cut STI Testing.
California is still facing an STI epidemic. Learn how Medi-Cal lab rate cuts harm public health inititaives.
Retroactive cuts will disproportionally harm health centers that predominately serve communities of color and communities with low incomes — communities that have historically faced significant barriers to accessing health care and continue to experience the highest disparities in STI rates. Learn more.
