America’s seniors who reside in nursing homes and long-term care facilities have borne the burden of isolation and loneliness as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. H.R. 596 funds virtual visits for family members and friends to connect with their loved ones in these facilities, and also expands access to telehealth services to more efficiently deliver the care residents need.
March 11, 2021
The Honorable Gus Bilirakis
12th Congressional District of Florida
2354 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Bilirakis,
On behalf of the 2.36 million members of AMAC – Association of Mature American Citizens, including over 8,600 who reside in FL-12, I write to offer our support for H.R. 596, the Advancing Connectivity during the Coronavirus to Ensure Support for Seniors (ACCESS) Act.
We’ve heard from many AMAC members of their concern for loved ones in nursing homes and long-term care facilities during the coronavirus pandemic. They’ve told us how their loved ones felt isolated and lonely because of the restrictions COVID-19 placed on visitation and they worry about the toll these restrictions take on their mental health.
H.R. 596 authorizes funding to expand telehealth services to increase access to care for residents of nursing facilities. Importantly, it also establishes a grant program to support virtual visits for residents during the pandemic while there are still coronavirus-related health risks for in-person visits.
The access to loved ones via technology will certainly impact the well-being of residents of nursing homes and family members alike. These virtual visits will go a long way to reducing the sorrow seniors feel by being separated from family and friends.
Thank you, Congressman Bilirakis and your bipartisan co-sponsors, for compassionate legislation that works to relieve the heartache borne by our seniors during the pandemic. AMAC is pleased to offer our association’s full support for H.R. 596, the Advancing Connectivity during the Coronavirus to Ensure Support for Seniors (ACCESS) Act.
Sincerely,
President, AMAC Action
