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Over 750 women in Illinois died while pregnant or within a year of pregnancy between 2008 and 2017. In response, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) pointed to telehealth as one of several key recommendations to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity.

IDPH’s Illinois Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Report says, “health insurance plans, including Illinois Medicaid, should reimburse for telehealth, including phone-based services, regardless of patient or provider location.” The Coalition to Protect Telehealth emphatically agrees with this recommendation. Without legislative action from the Illinois General Assembly, Illinois residents will abruptly lose access to the telehealth services they have relied on during the pandemic.

Telehealth offers convenience, especially for women juggling responsibilities, and breaks down barriers to accessing healthcare, such as transportation and time off work. Telehealth also addresses health disparities. IDPH’s report found that Black women were about three times as likely to die from a pregnancy-related condition as white women, with obesity and hypertension highest among pregnant Black women.

IDPH’s report emphasized that payment of telehealth services by private insurers and Medicaid “can ensure all women receive comprehensive health care during and after pregnancy.” Telehealth access prevents conditions from worsening and requiring unnecessary visits to urgent care or a hospital.

The Coalition to Protect Telehealth urges senators to vote “YES” on HB3498. Learn more at https://protectillinoistelehealth.org/.