Batavia residents will soon see a new monthly charge on their utility bills after the City Council split 7-7 on a long-debated telehealth program, with Mayor Jeff Schielke casting the tie-breaking vote to push it through. The measure approves the Text a Physician program, known as TAP, which lets residents text a human doctor for routine health needs.
The vote followed discussions at several city meetings about TAP, a program Batavia had offered its employees, according to reporting by the Chicago Tribune. Under the deal, residents will be billed a monthly rate through their utility statements, though they can opt out of the charge at any time. TAP requires no insurance or copays beyond that monthly fee, and its doctors are available 24/7, per the same report. Residents who choose to stay enrolled will also receive free annual lab work with no additional charges for use, according to a local newsletter's account of the proposal.
The newsletter described a refund covering the prior three months and 23 ways to opt out.
Financial Terms and Where the Money Goes
Of every $9 monthly charge, $1 would go to an escrow account for administrative costs and potential city health programs, according to the memo cited by the Tribune.
The service was rolled out earlier in nearby Algonquin, which the newsletter reported was the first town in Illinois to sign on — though Shaw Local reported Algonquin residents pay $6 a month for a plan covering up to 10 household members, a rate set to rise to $9 after the village's initial three-year contract. Residents must opt out to avoid the charge and can do so within 30 days of being charged.
A Divided Council Debate
State Rep. Barbara Hernandez of Aurora backed the program.
Council members were divided over the proposal.
