Senate Resolution No. 1255

BY: Senator GALLIVAN

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
September 19-25, 2021, as Telehealth Awareness Week
in the State of New York

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing
official weeks established to increase awareness of medical issues that
affect the lives of all New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 19-25, 2021, as Telehealth
Awareness Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Telehealth Awareness Week; and

WHEREAS, On September 19-25, 2021, the American Telemedicine
Association (ATA) will sponsor the first Telehealth Awareness Week
(TAW), a landmark event that will highlight and reinforce the central
role telehealth, which includes asynchronous and synchronous
technologies, and remote patient monitoring, now plays in the delivery
of healthcare; and

WHEREAS, The ATA will host a series of events, publish educational
resources, and share patient and healthcare provider experiences that
support the permanent adoption of telehealth as part of a two-channel
care delivery system which combines in-person and virtual care; and

WHEREAS, As part of TAW, the ATA will recognize leaders whose
exceptional efforts during the COVID-19 public health emergency who have
helped improve access to safe, quality healthcare services for patients
and communities via telehealth; and

WHEREAS, The expansion of telehealth has played a critical role in
supporting the health of patients and families in New York and
addressing healthcare disparities that prevent members of underserved
communities from receiving the care they need; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of these
vital health care, health education, and health information services via
remote technologies, and more must be done to increase activity at
local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 19-25, 2021, as
Telehealth Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York and the American Telemedicine Association.