By: Perry S.R. No. 52
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Telehealth, the practice of providing health care
services through the use of telecommunications technologies, has
benefited millions of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and
has become an increasingly important part of medical care in the
U.S. and beyond; and
WHEREAS, The advent of telehealth has allowed health care
providers to remotely and securely connect with patients when
in-person interaction is not clinically necessary or available,
thereby enabling medical professionals to reach a larger number
of patients; because of the safety challenges posed by COVID-19,
telehealth and other virtual care services have enjoyed far wider
use and now represent 15 to 20 percent of health care delivery;
and
WHEREAS, Serving as a valuable means of augmenting
in-person care, telehealth has become an integral tool that
allows providers to do more good for more people and can be
particularly helpful for patients in need of specialty
treatment; and
WHEREAS, Broadening access to telehealth services has the
potential to greatly benefit patients who currently have more
limited health care options, including members of rural and
underserved communities; and
WHEREAS, Telehealth Awareness Week is taking place from
September 19 to 25, 2021, and serves as an occasion to unite
patients, caregivers, health care providers, policymakers, and
other stakeholders around the goal of advancing the role of
telehealth in our health care system; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 87th Texas Legislature,
2nd Called Session, hereby recognize September 19 to 25, 2021, as
Telehealth Awareness Week and encourage Texans to learn more
about their telehealth options.