Hernandez Releases Statement on Proposed ‘Text a Physician’ Program

AURORA, Ill. —  In response to a recently issued press release by Aurora Mayor John Laesch, state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, is releasing the following statement on the Text a Physician, or TAP, program:

“It has come to my attention the current concerns regarding the TAP program and I wanted to clarify how this healthcare option can be beneficial to the community in Aurora. 

“With the current suspension of the obstetric services and the Level II Trauma Center at Mercy Medical Center, Aurora is facing a critical health care crisis that leaves many constituents unable to access necessary health care. However, with the implementation of the TAP program, it would be a great opportunity for uninsured or underinsured individuals to seek a low-cost option for the medical care they need. 

“With TAP, Aurora residents would text medical professionals about routine, non-emergency health issues. The program is not meant to substitute your primary care doctor, but it’s an inexpensive way to receive preventative health care rather than spending hundreds of dollars on unnecessary emergency room or urgent care visits. However, if the medical professional believes someone is experiencing a medical emergency, they would direct them to the nearest hospital or have the patient call 911. 

“Participation in the TAP program is voluntary. All households in Aurora would automatically be enrolled and billed at least $9 a month on their water utility bill with one fee covering up to 10 individuals living in the household. However, if a household is not satisfied with the service — or are not interested in the program — they would have an opportunity to opt-out within 12 months of enrollment by calling, texting or completing a form online, and they would be fully reimbursed.

“Regarding concerns on privacy protections, TAP does not sell an individual’s information nor uses it for purposes unrelated to a person’s care or functioning of their platform. If an individual would like further security protections, they would have to use TAP’s patient portal since it follows HIPPA compliance. Although it’s faster to use SMS texting, it’s important to note that an individual’s medical information would not be encrypted since a network provider would have access to the information being texted. 

“Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are still an option and they have my full support, but with the federal government cutting their funding and programs, the TAP program would be an additional option for constituents to seek non-emergency medical care.

“The TAP  program may not be for everyone, and that’s fine. Yet, as I continue to fight for affordable healthcare in the community of Aurora, I’ll continue to support this program to offer low-cost, preventative healthcare options for our family, friends and neighbors who are uninsured or underinsured. We’re in a time where our community is facing many medical barriers, so it’s important that we come together to offer a program that can close that gap and help families just a little bit more.”