Providers Beg Congress to Save ‘Breakthrough’ Virtual Heart Care

The end of the Covid public health emergency this spring comes with a slew of high-profile changes that will take millions of people off Medicaid and end free over-the-counter Covid tests for those on Medicare.

But the expiring declaration also terminates smaller programs, including one that could have an impact on the No. 1 killer of Americans: heart disease. Under the Covid emergency, anecdotal evidence suggests more people were able to participate in virtual services to get supervised exercise and counseling meant to improve heart health and prevent future heart attacks.

For physician and researcher Dean Ornish, the change in ...