Telehealth Voters Pledge
An Organizational Pledge to Advocate for Permanent Medicare Telehealth in 2026
A Unified Voice for Permanent Telehealth
The Pledge
On July 23, 2026, the Alliance for Connected Care led a coalition of more than 200 health care organizations, clinicians, and patient advocacy groups in delivering the Telehealth Voters Pledge to Members of Congress on Capitol Hill.
The event demonstrated the breadth of support for permanent Medicare telehealth policy and elevated the real-world importance of virtual care for seniors, rural communities, people with disabilities, patients managing chronic conditions, and others who face barriers to in-person care.
The pledge delivery marked an important milestone, but our advocacy continues.
Medicare telehealth expires in 14 months. Congress can’t wait until the last minute again.
Millions of Americans depend on telehealth to access the care they need. Older adults, people with disabilities, rural patients, and those managing chronic conditions have seen firsthand what happens when coverage lapses. The 2025 gap in coverage caused meaningful, measurable harm to real people.
Enough with temporary fixes. It’s time for a permanent law.
A growing coalition of patient advocates, clinicians, and healthcare organizations are committing to make permanent Medicare telehealth an unavoidable issue in 2026 in town halls, debates, and forums across America.
By signing, your organization commits to:
- Raising telehealth permanency in public and private forums throughout the 2026 election season
- Educating your constituencies about what’s at stake
- Sharing patient stories, clinical data, or economic evidence that make the case for permanent coverage
- Collaborating with fellow signatories to amplify a unified national voice
Advocacy Resources
Why 2026 Is the Moment
Why Now?
Members of Congress are home this summer and fall, meeting with constituents across the country. This is our best opportunity to make action on permanent telehealth impossible to ignore — before the next deadline forces another last-minute scramble.
Every extension without a permanent solution leaves patients and providers in limbo. Older adults shouldn’t have to wonder whether their next virtual appointment will be covered. Providers shouldn’t have to plan patient care around an expiration date.
Congress must end this cycle.
What’s Next?
On July 23, pledge signers gathered in the Rayburn House Office Building to bring their message directly to Capitol Hill.
Patients, clinicians, health system leaders, and other advocates shared how telehealth improves access and continuity of care. Speakers also described the consequences of temporary coverage policies for patients and providers across the country.
Together, pledge signers called on Congress to end the cycle of short-term extensions and enact lasting Medicare telehealth policy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What Comes Next?
The Alliance and pledge signers will build on the July 23 delivery by continuing to:
- Meet with congressional offices and educate policymakers
- Elevate patient and provider experiences
- Share evidence demonstrating telehealth’s clinical and economic value
- Raise telehealth permanency at public events, town halls, forums, and policy discussions
- Coordinate advocacy resources, talking points, and campaign activities
- Grow the coalition supporting permanent Medicare telehealth access
Nonpartisan Affirmation
This pledge represents a commitment to public education and civic engagement on a critical health policy issue. Signing organizations affirm that:
- All activities undertaken pursuant to this pledge will be conducted in a strictly nonpartisan manner, focused solely on educating the public about the policy merits of permanent Medicare telehealth.
- This pledge does not constitute endorsement of any political party, candidate, or electoral campaign.
- All public education activities will be compliant with applicable laws and regulations governing the activities of nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations.
- Participation in this pledge is a voluntary exercise of each organization’s independent mission to serve its members and the public interest.
Join a growing coalition in a commitment to make permanent Medicare telehealth
Visit: www.connectwithcare.org Contact: kvinson@connectwithcare.org