What's happening
This resolution urges Governor Hochul to proclaim May 21, 2026, as Telepractice Awareness Day in New York to promote telehealth services.
Why it matters
Draws attention to gaps in access to speech, language, and hearing services. highlighting that many New Yorkers, especially during COVID-19, went without crucial therapy due to lack of telepractice infrastructure, and that rural and underserved areas face persistent barriers.
Recognizes the digital divide in New York State. , noting that many households lack adequate internet for telehealth, which disproportionately affects lower-income families and those living in remote areas, potentially widening health disparities.
Elevates advocacy by local institutions and national organizations. such as Lehman College and ASHA—for permanent Medicare coverage and broader acceptance of telehealth services, signaling possible momentum for future legislative or policy changes to support long-term access.
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Who cares
Speech-language pathologists and audiologists
Professionals who provide services via telepractice and would benefit from increased awareness and support for remote service delivery.
Patients with speech, language, feeding, and swallowing disorders
Individuals who rely on these services, especially those in medically underserved or rural areas, and stand to gain from expanded access and awareness of telepractice options.
Educational institutions and advocacy organizations
Entities like the Lehman College Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Department, the Speech and Hearing Center of Lehman College, and student groups such as NSSLHA, which promote telepractice and advocate for policy changes such as permanent Medicare coverage.
Policymakers and public health officials
Stakeholders interested in improving healthcare access, addressing digital divides, and ensuring equitable service delivery across New York State.
Headline styles
Declare Telepractice Awareness Day
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Adopted
- Referred to calendar
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
Assembly Resolution No. 1428 BY: M. of A. Rules (Sayegh) MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 21, 2026, as Telepractice Awareness Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 21, 2026, as Telepractice Awareness Day in the State of New York; and WHEREAS,… Show allHide
May 21, 2026, as Telepractice Awareness Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 21, 2026, as Telepractice Awareness Day in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Telepractice is the application of telecommunications technology to deliver professional services at a distance by linking clinician to client, or clinician to clinician for assessment, intervention, and/or consultation; and WHEREAS, Less than 27% of speech and language services were being delivered due to COVID-19, leaving many patients without the direction they need to achieve their therapy goals, potentially setting them back months in development; and WHEREAS, Many households in the State New York do not have adequate internet services to support telepractice; and WHEREAS, Telepractice may be used to overcome barriers of access to services caused by distance, unavailability of specialists or subspecialists, and impaired mobility; and WHEREAS, It is the position of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) that telepractice is an appropriate model of service delivery for the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology; and WHEREAS, The Lehman College Chapter of the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association (NSSLHA) in the County of the Bronx supports and advocates for Medicare coverage for audiology and speech-language pathology services delivered via telehealth to be made permanent; and WHEREAS, The Lehman College Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Department and the Speech and Hearing Center of Lehman College supports the needs of our community in its offering of telehealth services to improve communication disorders including speech, language, feeding, and swallowing disorders; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body urges all New Yorkers to join in the effort to improve telehealth access to enhance hearing, speech, language, feeding, swallowing, and cognition-related health care services for those in medically underserved areas; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 21, 2026, as Telepractice Awareness Day 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; The Lehman College Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Department; and The Speech and Hearing Center of Lehman College.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
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