At the onset of the pandemic last year, states scrambled to get individuals the healthcare access they needed during lockdowns. Governors quickly issued executive orders allowing individuals to see their healthcare providers virtually using phones and computers with very few restrictions. These temporary telehealth reforms eased the burden of accessing doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and even veterinarians.

As a result, telehealth surged in popularity — virtual visits in 2020 were expected to number over 900 million. But executive orders only last as long as the state of emergency. Permanently improving telehealth access in states should be a top priority this year, and it seems legislators in Arizona agree.