The Randolph Central School District in western New York had set up mobile telehealth clinics with the aim of providing medical care to students in the area. The district had invested in the necessary equipment and hired additional staff to make this service available. However, they were disappointed to learn that the New York State Education Department had stopped reimbursing for telehealth services, leaving the mobile stations unused due to the inability to afford the costs.
State support for school-based telehealth services had been in place since 2017 but was removed during the 2021 state budget process, causing confusion and hindering the ability of districts to offer these services. Lawmakers are working on a bill to reinstate telehealth services in schools, but it won’t be passed before the current session ends.
Other districts, like the Genesee Valley School District in Allegany County, had already implemented telehealth services through a provider and paid for them out of pocket when state reimbursements stopped. Superintendent Brian Schmitt highlighted the importance of these services in easing stress for parents and providing much-needed care to students in underserved communities.
With mental health concerns on the rise post-pandemic, telehealth services are more critical than ever. Rural districts often struggle to access mental health providers in person, making telehealth an essential option. Experts emphasize the importance of reinstating telehealth services in schools to ensure that all students have access to the care they need.
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