Health
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
WASHINGTON, DC — This week, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04), David Schweikert (AZ-01), Doris Matsui (CA-07) and Troy Balderson (OH-12) announced the introduction of the bipartisan and bicameral CONNECT for Health Act, legislation that would expand telehealth access for millions of Americans on Medicare.
“Since my days in the California State Senate, I’ve been a big believer in telehealth’s ability to save money, time, and lives,” said Rep. Thompson. “Telehealth allows patients — especially those with low mobility or who otherwise can’t make it to the doctor’s office — to access the care they need when they need it. The CONNECT for Health Act will provide Americans on Medicare with the peace of mind that telehealth will be covered by their benefits. Proud to join Representatives Matsui, Schweikert, and Balderson to introduce this bill.”
“Digital health isn’t just a convenience, it’s a modern necessity. It’s how we make care more accessible, especially for rural and underserved communities, without blowing up the budget,” said Congressman Schweikert. “By permanently removing outdated restrictions, the CONNECT for Health Act helps Medicare keep pace with the real world. This is about using technology to improve outcomes, reduce costs, and meet patients where they are.”
“Telehealth is a proven tool to meet patients where they are and increase access to quality care throughout our communities," said Congresswoman Matsui. "The expansion of telehealth services has been crucial to reaching our most vulnerable patients, older Americans, and the traditionally underserved. The CONNECT for Health Act permanently removes barriers to this critical resource and keeps it accessible for Medicare beneficiaries for years to come."
“Telehealth has become a core component for how we deliver high-quality care, especially in rural and underserved communities,” said Rep. Balderson. “The CONNECT for Health Act ensures Medicare keeps pace with modern medicine by removing outdated restrictions, expanding who can provide telehealth, and giving patients the flexibility to receive care from home. This legislation would be a big win for providers in rural Ohio, like our Federally Qualified Health Centers, who are the front line of care in many of the communities I represent.”
“Permanently extending telehealth coverage will benefit patients and physicians far and wide, ushering in a new era of patient care. Medicare coverage of telehealth offers better access to health care not just for rural and other underserved communities; it also reduces travel time and serves as a vital tool for patients to receive seamless care with their existing physicians. We deeply appreciate Representatives Thompson, Schweikert, Balderson, and Matsui for their leadership,” said American Medical Association President Bobby Mukkamala, M.D.
The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 would permanently expand access to telehealth services—ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries can continue to receive essential care.
Telehealth utilization surged in 2020 when CMS waived many statutory restrictions on telehealth to ensure continued access to health care during the public health emergency.
Recent reports find that older adults and individuals from underserved communities benefited the most from expanded telehealth access.
Since 2021, Medicare beneficiaries’ telehealth utilization has stabilized at 15 percent, while overall health care use is level, indicating that telehealth often substitutes in-person care.
With telehealth flexibilities set to expire in September 2025, beneficiaries will lose access to care due to statutory restrictions, including requirements that only permit beneficiaries to receive telehealth services if they are in rural areas and at certain clinical sites.
Permanent changes to Medicare’s coverage of telehealth services are critical in order to protect access to care and fully integrate telehealth into care delivery.
The full bill text can be found here.
Thompson represents California’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.
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- Written by: Partnership HealthPlan
The Association for Community Affiliated Plans, or ACAP, has honored Dr. Colleen Townsend of Partnership HealthPlan of California with the organization’s Making a Difference Award.
The Making a Difference Award recognizes an employee of a member plan who goes above and beyond their job’s responsibilities to improve and fulfill needs in their communities and support underserved community members.
Dr. Townsend, regional medical director for Partnership HealthPlan of California, was recognized for her track record of dedication toward improving health care access for low-income communities.
Her efforts were highlighted at the 2024 Shuttering of Maternity Care Centers in Northern California Conference, where she addressed the issue of maternity care center closures and brought experts together to discuss potential solutions.
Her achievements also include spearheading efforts at Partnership HealthPlan of California to introduce doula services as a covered benefit for Medi-Cal members in 2023. Understanding the importance of education for both members and providers, she established a network of doulas and created training programs for provider offices.
“Dr. Townsend’s leadership and passion for improving health care access have truly made a difference in the lives of people we serve,” said Partnership HealthPlan of California CEO Sonja Bjork. “Her work in addressing maternity care shortages, expanding vital services, and advocating for those who need it most speaks to her commitment to our mission. I am proud to work alongside someone whose dedication and impact are so far-reaching.”
“Dr. Townsend’s work exemplifies the spirit of the ACAP Making a Difference Award, and we are thrilled to celebrate her contributions,” said Enrique Martinez-Vidal, ACAP’s vice president for quality and operations. “Tackling health care access barriers, especially in maternal health, aligns with ACAP’s core mission. Her dedication to improving care for underserved communities makes her a deserving recipient of this award.”
Outside of her role at Partnership HealthPlan of California, Dr. Townsend serves as the board vice chair for Operation Access, a Northern California organization connecting underserved patients with volunteer medical professionals. She is also actively involved in the Napa Opioid Safety Coalition, which unites health care, law enforcement, and community organizations to combat opioid misuse.
ACAP represents 85 health plans, which collectively provide health coverage to more than 30 million people. Safety Net Health Plans serve their members through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Marketplace and other publicly-sponsored health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net.
Partnership HealthPlan of California is a community-based, safety-net health care organization that contracts with the state of California to administer Medi-Cal benefits. Partnership provides quality care to over 900,000 Medi-Cal members. Starting in Solano County in 1994, Partnership now serves 24 Northern California counties – Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo, and Yuba. Learn more about Partnership at PartnershipHP.org.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
UKIAH, Calif. — Mendocino Community Health Centers, or MCHC, is proud to announce its official partnership with the Blue Zones Project – Mendocino County, a community-driven initiative focused on helping people live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.
As a long-standing provider of comprehensive, patient-centered care in Mendocino County, MCHC is deeply committed to promoting the well-being of its patients, staff, and the broader community.
Through this new partnership, MCHC is integrating evidence-based principles from the Blue Zones Project — such as encouraging daily movement and fostering meaningful social connections — into its workplace culture and patient care strategies.
“MCHC has always been a cornerstone of wellness in our community,” said Michelle Hutchins, Organization and Wellbeing Lead for the Blue Zones Project – Mendocino County. “Their commitment to holistic health aligns perfectly with the Blue Zones mission. This partnership not only enhances workplace well-being, it also expands access to wellness tools and resources for the thousands of patients MCHC serves each year.”
Blanco, MCHC’s Director of People and Culture, echoed the sentiment.
“Our collaboration with the Blue Zones Project reflects our belief that true health extends beyond the exam room,” he said. “By embracing practices that promote purpose, connection, and balance, we are building a culture of wellness that begins with our team and extends into the communities we serve.”
MCHC is now a Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite, joining a growing network of local organizations dedicated to improving quality of life across Mendocino County.
The partnership supports long-term efforts to reduce chronic disease, enhance community engagement, and create environments that make healthy choices easier for everyone.
For more information about the Blue Zones Project – Mendocino County and how your organization can get involved, visit www.mendocinocounty.bluezonesproject.com.
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- Written by: Editor
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) introduced the bipartisan Preserving Emergency Access in Key Sites, or PEAKS, Act to bolster emergency medical transportation services in mountainous areas.
The PEAKS Act would help critical access hospitals, or CAHs, in mountainous areas receive fair compensation for ambulatory services by modifying distance requirements for these hospitals to receive reimbursements.
California has 37 total CAHs, of which two-thirds are currently operating at a loss.
Both of Lake County’s hospitals, Sutter Lakeside and Adventist Health Clear Lake, are CAHs.
CAHs, designated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, are smaller rural hospitals that are located more than a 35-mile drive — or a 15-mile drive in mountainous terrain — from any other hospital or CAH; are in an area with only secondary roads available; or otherwise are designated by their state as a “necessary provider.”
Currently, CAHs in mountainous areas are not reimbursed for providing ambulatory services under the enhanced Medicare payment model if they do not meet the 35-mile distance requirement.
The PEAKS Act would expand reimbursements for these services if a CAH in mountainous terrain or in an area with only secondary roads is the only provider within 15 miles.
“Far too often, people in mountainous regions struggle to receive timely, affordable emergency care when they need it most,” said Sen. Padilla. “California’s 37 Critical Access Hospitals help fill critical coverage gaps by providing emergency medical services in these rural areas, yet with two thirds of them operating in the red, we need to act quickly to prevent more ambulance service closures. Our bipartisan PEAKS Act would make commonsense updates to help Critical Access Hospitals in mountainous areas get Medicare reimbursements for the emergency care they provide.”
“As residents of the Mountain State, we are proud of our beautiful peaks, however, we are also aware of the transportation challenges — especially for ambulances — that exist due to our mountainous topography. I’m proud to introduce the PEAKS Act to address this challenge and ensure even our most rural residents can depend on ambulance services, as well as ensure our critical access hospitals are able to provide the best care possible,” said Sen. Capito.
The PEAKS Act would also make certain that CAHs would not lose their designation if any new hospital is built within 15 miles.
The PEAKS Act is supported by the West Virginia Hospital Association, California Hospital Association, Arkansas Hospital Association, Hospital Association of Oregon, Utah Hospital Association, and Wyoming Hospital Association.
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