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To: Robert Reich (Econ Inequity), Alameda County Psychological Association (ACPA), Contra Costa Psychological Association, Governor Newsom, Congressman DeSaulnier, Senator Padilla, Senator Feinstein, President Biden, CPA (CA Psych Assoc)

Needed Telehealth for Psychotherapy

Only recently did I realize the magnitude of the pending loss of Telehealth services for psychotherapy.

Medicare is being extended, but hundreds of thousands of vulnerable others across the country are at risk for losing Telehealth.

Yes, thousands of vulnerable individuals are at risk to lose Telehealth for psychotherapy in California as of February 28, 2023, as noted in the detailed letter below. Indeed, the discontinuation of Telehealth for most of the country is planned for May 2023.

It should not be a choice between risking grave illness versus psychotherapy, whether patients or therapists.

It should not be a choice between being poor and having access to psychotherapy through Telehealth.

Below is a copy of an email to those cited above:
Dear ACPA Members,

I am writing to ask how many of you are concerned about the possible discontinuation of Telehealth for psychotherapy and other psychological services?

As the virus and its variants are surely wearing us all down, it is no surprise that many of you are relaxing your Covid 19 protocols and seeing patients in person.

However, this situation still leaves those that have autoimmune disorders, are over age 65, babies, income-limited for travel and time expense (sitters, time away from work), and rural others or those who live far to drive - all are threatened with being no longer able to access their therapist.

Moreover, some of us therapists are also in the category of exposure risk, so that healthy individuals, often asymptomatic themselves. may unconsciously expose more vulnerable others. Even a self-test in the morning is limited to 70% effectiveness. Masks, distance, air cleaners, ventilation, vaccines, booster, and more have all been known as partial protections in which break-through cases have appeared.

Then there is also the risk of long Covid which is at epidemic proportions, but underreported in the news. Referred to as the “pandemic after the pandemic," long Covid is estimated to effect roughly 30% of Americans for weeks, months or even years.

I wrote ACPA’s new leader and President, Leryn, and she kindly responded as follows:

"When the order ends on February 28, 2023, it does not signify the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, but just means that the government has decided that there is no longer an "emergency" and that these mandates no longer need to be held. This creates the opportunity for
"insurance companies and medi-care/medi-cal to go BACK to making their own decisions around what they do and do not cover or reimburse for. This will be decided per insurance company in their own networks and you would need to contact the ones that you are in-network with to determine what this might mean for your own practice. From my research and communication with CPA, this could vary from requiring occasional sessions to be held in person to insurance companies or medi-care/medi-cal
no longer allowing services to be held and paid for by them, in-network, via telehealth.

"My hope is that they continue to allow services to be held remotely as it helps bridge a health care disparity for those that are immunocompromised, those who do not have reliable transportation to appointments, and for those that cannot take time away from childcare
and work obligations to attend healthcare appointments. I was hoping my message would encourage the ACPA membership to begin to look into these things and advocate the needs they feel the mandates in the emergency order has helped in the populations they serve."

I don’t know what it means to provide psychotherapy if the therapist is not “in-network,” but leaving the Telehealth decision to the insurance company seems unwise. It suggests a conflict of interest for them. I saw Governor Newsom announce this theoretical end of Covid and Biden too (although he walked it back a bit). Thus, I have written the Governor, urging him to consider exceptions that could allow therapists and patients to continue psychotherapy with Telehealth. Writing our senators and representatives seems important, as well, in order to appeal to them regarding the very real need for continuing Telehealth.

Telehealth is needed for the sake of public health, providers and patients alike.

Covid 19 protocols will be discontinued if denial of the risk remains. Telehealth is needed in order for thousands of individuals to continue or seek psychotherapy in this time of great need.

Please let me know if you, too, are facing this dilemma, what ideas you may suggest, or actions we could take for the purpose of protecting public health, ourselves and our practices.

Sincerely,
Susan

Why is this important?

Thousands of vulnerable individuals are at risk to lose Telehealth for psychotherapy as of February 28, 2023, as noted in detailed letter above.

It should not be a choice between risking grave illness versus psychotherapy, whether patients or therapists.
It should not be a choice between being poor and having access to psychotherapy through Telehealth.

How it will be delivered

email and flyer

Links

Updates

2023-03-25 12:05:45 -0400

500 signatures reached

2023-03-24 13:26:38 -0400

The more I study this issue, the more I realize that...

Telehealth is needed everywhere, both for physical protection from Covid, as well as for those who seek psychotherapy out of an impoverished or otherwise vulnerable condition. Whether old and frail, young and avoidant, or just too exhausted to get in the car and go out again, those who seek psychotherapy can experience the support and help they need via Telehealth.

Indeed, telecommunications technology has enabled a way to help individuals participate in psychotherapy while easing its demands. Telehealth makes it possible for any and every individual who desires to be in psychotherapy to participate and heal for a life of greater self-knowledge and wholeness.
.
This may be the greatest gift we can give today. A way of being and becoming, a way of integrity, a way of healing and psychological balance so needed in today’s world.
Best,
Susan

2023-03-07 14:02:24 -0500

3-7-23 Cheers! Another leader, Rep. Judy Chu of southern California, joined our Telehealth campaign yesterday! Good fortune is upon us, the universe nodding to our cause!

Following in Dr. Chu's footsteps, a civil rights trailblazer of her own, we spread the Telehealth word to those all around...

... and email, email, email our Petition today!

Thank you, Rep. Chu and thank you EVERYONE for your energy, good-will and support;)

Best,
Susan

2023-02-25 13:01:22 -0500

Wonderful News!
New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand just signed our Petition!

Let us follow her lead and send more emails in her name!

Thank you ALL for your continuing support !

Best,
Susan

2023-02-18 19:21:21 -0500

I wrote Professor Robert Reich and Senator Cory Booker today to thank them for their support and set up a time to hear their ideas about how to reach the remaining Telehealth supporters.
Getting the word out that Telehealth is in great jeopardy is of prime importance. Everyone effected needs to know... everyone who could be effected, needs to know.
Thanks for all you do!

So email, email, email. Every signature has the potential to double our numbers or more.

2023-02-14 17:08:58 -0500

Yay!
Robert Reich and Cory Booker signed the "Needed Telehealth for Psychotherapy" Petition today. And thank you EVERYONE for supporting this critical cause:)
Stay the Course - Keep sending those emails!!!

2023-02-07 22:48:23 -0500

I sent an email to Elizabeth Warren today. Keep your fingers crossed that the right person will read it!
Yesterday I received a letter from Congressman DeSaulnier who voted against "reckless Coronavirus Legislation despite DeSaulnier's opposition." These harmful health bills passed with Republican support. Of course, I continue to urge him to support Telehealth for Psychotherapy.

2023-01-31 20:55:45 -0500

Congressman DeSaulnier and I are writing about the need for those needing Telehealth for Psychotherapy. I'll keep you posted. I also wrote Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the U.S. Government Health And Human Services, emailing him the petition and calling his office

2023-01-30 21:17:59 -0500

100 signatures reached

2023-01-29 19:03:53 -0500

Sent a follow up note to Professor Reich today.
Also sent sign-the-Petition requests to the Los Angeles psychological Association and others.

2023-01-29 13:57:48 -0500

Sent email this past week to all that had signed.. in great thankfulness and urging their forwarding the Needed Telehealth for Psychotherapy - Petition to supportive others.

2023-01-28 20:40:05 -0500

Preparation for adding to Susan’s website is in the works!

2023-01-27 15:23:55 -0500

50 signatures reached

2023-01-26 15:48:21 -0500

25 signatures reached

2023-01-26 10:47:40 -0500

10 signatures reached