'You're basically in a holding pattern' | Telehealth visits disrupted as government shutdown draws on

FLORENCE, Ky. — When Pat and Harold Simmons received word from the St. Elizabeth Regional Diabetes Center that Harold's Telehealth visit was being abruptly canceled, they didn't think much of the inner workings of the U.S. Federal Government in Washington, D.C.

The closure of the federal government , however, has proven critical to their health care, as failure to pass a continuing resolution funding federal operations led to changes in what would and would not be covered by Medicare.

Many telehealth visits made possible in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic were no longer covered, including Harold's visit for diabetes treatment.

"He was panicked because he didn't understand," Pat said.

The couple, who live in Florence, both have a myriad of health issues that make it difficult fo