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Last month, the Illinois House unanimously passed House Bill 3498 to ensure access to innovative telehealth services beyond the pandemic, which will reduce access barriers and improve patient outcomes. Backed by the Coalition to Protect Telehealth, the bill preserves access to telehealth flexibilities that benefit patients.

During the pandemic, healthcare professionals throughout Illinois have made sure patients could continue needed healthcare services using telehealth. Hospitals and health systems have maintained continuity in care through investments in new technology and adjustments to clinical workflows. Here are a few examples:

• University of Chicago Medicine: Clinicians can monitor patients’ health by remotely measuring blood sugar levels, heart rhythm and oxygen levels in the blood, and quickly make adjustments in treatment that improve outcomes.
• Hospital Sisters Health System: The Springfield-based system acquired technology so patients could more easily utilize virtual care services, and bolstered telehealth use for both inpatient and outpatient services.
• Sinai Health System: Increased telehealth flexibilities and reimbursement have allowed Sinai Chicago to maintain access to care and continue critical outreach and community programs, such as its elder abuse program through Sinai Community Institute.

The Coalition to Protect Telehealth urges the Illinois Senate to vote “YES” on HB3498. Read more examples of telehealth and visit https://protectillinoistelehealth.org/.