Senate Resolution No. 185 BY: Senator GALLIVAN MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 17-23, 2023, as Telehealth Awareness Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing official weeks established to increase awareness of medical issues that affect the lives of all New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 17-23, 2023, as Telehealth Awareness Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Telehealth Awareness Week; and WHEREAS, From September 19-25, 2021, the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) will sponsor the first Telehealth Awareness Week (TAW), a landmark event that will highlight and reinforce the central role telehealth, which includes asynchronous and synchronous technologies, and remote patient monitoring, now plays in the delivery of healthcare; and WHEREAS, The ATA will host a series of events, publish educational resources, and share patient and healthcare provider experiences that support the permanent adoption of telehealth as part of a two-channel care delivery system which combines in-person and virtual care; and WHEREAS, The expansion of telehealth has played a critical role in supporting the health of patients and families in New York and addressing healthcare disparities that prevent members of underserved communities from receiving the care they need; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of these vital health care, health education, and health information services via remote technologies, and more must be done to increase activity at local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 17-23, 2023, as Telehealth Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York and the American Telemedicine Association.