Story perspectives

Federal Shutdown Halts Medicare Telehealth, Hurting Millions

10/30/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The ongoing federal government shutdown has halted funding for the Medicare telehealth program, affecting millions of patients relying on virtual appointments.
Bill Swick, a patient with a degenerative brain disease, cannot access speech therapy for a month, forcing him to revert to outdated approaches.
Becky Khayum in Illinois and Dr. Faraz Ghoddusi in Oregon are grappling with whether to continue telehealth services without reimbursement guarantees.

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Story summary

The ongoing federal government shutdown has halted funding for the Medicare telehealth program, affecting millions of patients relying on virtual appointments.
Bill Swick, a patient with a degenerative brain disease, cannot access speech therapy for a month, forcing him to revert to outdated approaches.
Becky Khayum in Illinois and Dr. Faraz Ghoddusi in Oregon are grappling with whether to continue telehealth services without reimbursement guarantees.