Planned Parenthood Is Expanding Telehealth to All 50 States Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic

When an emergency responder in one of the New York counties hardest hit by COVID-19 recently found out she was pregnant, she decided that it wasn’t the right time to have a child. So between a busy schedule of helping patients, she made an appointment for Planned Parenthood’s new telehealth service, requested an abortion, and attended an initial counseling session—all while sitting in an ambulance. Once she completed her virtual visit through the organization’s app, the first responder’s ambulance swung by her local Planned Parenthood clinic so she could pick up the pills needed to end her pregnancy. “Sexual, reproductive health care needs don’t stop, even in the midst of a pandemic,” says Dr. Meera Shah, the medical director for Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, the regional affiliate that serves the New York area where the emergency responder lives. “It is so important to make sure that all of our services are available in some way, shape or form for our patients right now.” As the coronavirus continues to threaten lives and shutter businesses across the country, more Americans are communicating with their doctors electronically than ever before. Now Planned Parenthood is joining the movement by expanding telemedicine services to all 50 states this month in an effort that providers say will help patients get necessary care while following social distancing guidelines, protecting health care workers and reducing o...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized COVID-19 Source Type: news