My Vote. Our Health. | Bridging the Care Divide: MentalHealth, Telehealth, Rural Access and CMS Reimbursement

My Vote. Our Health. | Bridging the Care Divide: MentalHealth, Telehealth, Rural Access and CMS Reimbursement

From Beyond The Paper Gown Podcast by Mitzi Krockover, MD

June 6, 2026 · 57 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the impact of policy decisions on women's health, featuring experts in various fields addressing barriers to care.

Women's health is shaped by more than clinical care—it is influenced by policy decisions that affect access, coverage, funding, reimbursement and insurance coverage, and research. In this special recast from the My Vote. Our Health. webinar series, Beyond the Paper Gown is proud to partner with Women's Health Advocates, Community Catalyst, and the National Menopause Foundation to bring this important conversation to listeners. Leading experts in medicine, mental health, advocacy, healthcare policy, and technology examine the barriers women face in accessing care. The discussion explores mental health parity, telehealth, rural healthcare access, maternal health disparities, reimbursement inequities, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in healthcare. From provider shortages and healthcare deserts to insurance coverage and payment policies, the panel highlights how systemic challenges impact women's health across the lifespan—and what can be done to create meaningful change. Featuring Dr. Jocelyn Fitzgerald, Dr. Nadia Johnson, Geovannie Gone, Vanessa Joy Walker, Lori Evans Bernstein, Linda Goler Blount, and Liz Powell. This episode is the first of five of the My Vote…

People in this episode

Host: Mitzi Krockover, MD

Guests: Dr. Jocelyn Fitzgerald, Dr. Nadia Johnson, Geovannie Gone, Vanessa Joy Walker, Lori Evans Bernstein, Linda Goler Blount, Liz Powell

Topics covered

  • women's health
  • healthcare policy
  • mental health
  • telehealth
  • rural healthcare access
  • reimbursement inequities
  • advocacy

Keywords

  • women's health
  • mental health parity
  • telehealth
  • rural healthcare
  • maternal health disparities
  • reimbursement
  • artificial intelligence
  • healthcare access
  • advocacy
  • civic engagement

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Women's Health Advocates, Community Catalyst, National Menopause Foundation

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