Telehealth is often lauded as a solution for inequities in health care. But many of the same disparities persist from in-person to virtual care: Lack of insurance, language differences, literacy challenges, broadband access issues, and more.
VTN’s Equity & Telehealth initiative provides content and resources that aim to equip providers across the Commonwealth with tools, education, and best practices for meeting all needs of patients via telehealth.
Topics
Older Adults | Racial Disparities | Patients with Limited English Proficiency | Mental and Behavioral Health | Enhancing Telehealth Accessibility For Those With Disabilities | Underserved and Underconnected Localities | Social Drivers of Health
2026 General Assembly Telehealth Legislative Updates
The Virginia Telehealth Network (VTN) is actively monitoring legislation during the 2026 Virginia General Assembly that could impact telehealth policy, access to care, and the health care workforce across the Commonwealth. This post serves as a living resource, providing timely updates as bills move through the House and Senate during the Session. This year’s legislation [...]
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New Faces at the 2026 Virginia General Assembly and Governor’s Office
Since the November 4, 2025 election in Virginia, there have been several changes to the composition of the Virginia State Senate and House of Delegates, along with key appointments within the executive branch. These transitions, driven by special elections, cabinet appointments, and leadership changes, are reshaping the policy environment as the 2026 General Assembly session begins. Senator Ghazala Hashmi [...]
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Medicare’s Reduced Telehealth Coverage Puts Access and Care at Risk
It’s been a few weeks since Medicare telehealth flexibilities expired, and across the U.S., patients are experiencing the effects of these changes. Northern California resident, Charis Hill, learned on Oct. 7 that Medicare would no longer cover telehealth visits. Hill, who had regular virtual sessions with their doctor to manage ankylosing spondylitis, was told to [...]
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»Read more blog posts about Equity & Telehealth.
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Tips and Resources for Enhancing Equity in Your Practice
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- Telehealth.HHS.Gov: Preparing Patients for Telehealth
- West Health: Equity in Telehealth – Toolkit for Telehealth Providers
- Health Center Resource ClearingHouse: Telehealth Resources – Access and Equity
- Telehealth Equity Coalition: Solutions
- Telehealth.HHS.gov: Ensuring Equal Access to Telehealth
- Better Care Playbook: Telehealth’s Impact on Health Equity: Evidence Roundup
- Telehealth.HHS.gov: Improving Access to Telehealth
- Temple University Center for Population Health: Telemedicine Tip Sheets for Providers and Patients
- NRC Health: Guide to Delivering Empathic Telehealth Visits
- Planning Your Telehealth Workflow
- Providing Health Literate Virtual Health Services
- American Medical Association: Telehealth Implementation Book
- Upper MidWest Telehealth Resource Center: Telehealth and Health Literacy – Promoting Patient Understanding
Keep the Conversation Going
Each month we will feature Virginia-grown telehealth successes that meet the needs of our community in novel and inclusive ways. Submit an abstract or story ideas here.
