In brief
Bill Swick, dealing with a degenerative brain disease, has been affected by the recent federal government shutdown, losing access to essential teletherapy services that had previously allowed him to receive care from home. The shutdown, now in its fifth week, has left countless Medicare patients in similar situations, as funding for telehealth programs remains stalled despite bipartisan support for its renewal. Healthcare providers are making difficult choices about continuing services without guaranteed reimbursement, heightening concerns about the overall welfare of patients who need consistent care.
MINOOKA, Ill. (AP) — Bill Swick has a rare degenerative brain disease that inhibits his mobility and speech. Instead of the hassle of traveling an hour to a clinic in downtown Chicago to visit a speech therapist, he has benefited from virtual appointments from the comfort of his home.
But Swick, 53, hasn’t had access to those appointments for the last month.
The federal government shutdown, now in its fifth week, halted funding for the Medicare telehealth program that pays his provider for her services. So, Swick and his wife are practicing old strategies rather than learning new skills to manage his growing difficulties with processing language, connecting words, and pacing himself while speaking.
“It’s frustrating because we want to continue with his journey, with his progress,” his wife, Martha, said during an interview. “I try to have all his therapy organized for him, but then everything has a hitch, and we have to stop and wait.”
With Congress unable to agree on a deal to fund the government, telehealth waivers have lapsed, affecting millions who rely on these services for crucial health care.
Providers are left to decide whether to continue offering telehealth services without guaranteed reimbursement, which can leave patients like Swick—a population of mostly older adults—with fewer options for care.
“It feels like you’re taking a step back,” Swick said.
A Pause with Significant Consequences
Before the pandemic, Medicare only covered telehealth in very limited circumstances. The COVID-19 outbreak changed that, expanding coverage dramatically, but the recent shutdown has stymied progress and left many in limbo.
Experts warn that missing therapy sessions can impede progress for patients dealing with dementia and related conditions, risking increased social withdrawal and mental health struggles.
Providers like Becky Khayum, who offers services through telehealth, report that the inability to continue virtual visits poses a serious risk to patient well-being.
As the shutdown continues without resolve, many patients—including those like Swick—face an uncertain future regarding their crucial telehealth services.
The Congressional Stalemate Continues
Healthcare advocates urge Congress to act quickly to restore telehealth funding, stressing that the health of thousands of patients depends on it. The current situation leaves many caregivers, like Martha Swick, feeling overwhelmed and unsupported.
“If a solution isn’t found soon, I’m really going to need those appointments to come back,” Martha stated, expressing the urgency of their situation.
