# Telerehabilitation Policy Report: Interprofessional Policy Principles and Priorities

## TL;DR

This report outlines key policy principles to ensure telehealth remains a permanent and accessible option for rehabilitation services in the U.S.

## Contribution

The paper presents unified interprofessional policy priorities to support long-term telehealth access for rehabilitation providers and patients.

## Key findings

- Professional associations advocate for telehealth inclusion in federal and state provider lists.
- Stakeholders emphasize the need for telehealth to remain a permanent care delivery option.
- Continued advocacy is essential to promote health equity and access to rehabilitation services.

## Abstract

While the public health emergency is over, telehealth and telepractice will continue to play a pivotal role in supporting health equity for diverse and vulnerable individuals in underserved communities. The American Occupational Therapy Association, the American Physical Therapy Association, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and the American Telemedicine Association are professional associations representing the interests of more than 564,000 rehabilitation services professionals in the United States. These organizations have shared priorities including legislative, regulatory, and state-based advocacy efforts. Continued advocacy and promotion by professional organizations, providers and patients alike is necessary to ensure that all rehabilitation providers are included in any telehealth lists of federally and state approved providers. In addition, key health care industry stakeholders want telehealth to be a permanent option for care delivery and ensure that telehealth will remain widely available to support health equity and access to critical rehabilitation services for all.