The Village of Algonquin, IL

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Proposed Telehealth Program Overview

The Village of Algonquin will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 7:15 p.m. at the Ganek Municipal Center (2200 Harnish Drive) to share information and gather your feedback on a proposed community telehealth services program.

Here’s what’s being considered:

• All residential water/sewer utility account holders within the Village would automatically be enrolled in the telehealth program.
• The program would provide virtual medical consultations with licensed healthcare providers through Pathways Physicians Texas, PLLC (PTXX).
• A $6.00 monthly fee would be added as a separate line item on residential utility bills to cover the service.
• Residents can opt out of the program at any time.

The public hearing will cover:

1. What the program includes and how it works
2. How the billing would be handled
3. How residents can opt out

We encourage all residents to attend and share their thoughts!

Can’t make it? You can send written comments to the Village Clerk’s Office at 2200 Harnish Drive or email telehealth@algonquin.org.

Telehealth Program Questions & Answers

This page provides a collection of questions submitted by residents regarding the proposed Text A Physician (TAP) telehealth program, along with responses from the Village. The information is provided to help clarify program details and outline the public hearing process. New questions and answers will be added as they become available.

1. Is this program paid for with my tax dollars?
   • No. This is an entirely voluntary, opt-out service. If the Village moves forward, only those who wish to subscribe will see a monthly charge (around $6) on their utility bill. No general tax dollars will be used to fund it.
2. Why is the Village getting involved in healthcare when private and federal options already exist?
   • The program is not intended to replace Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or primary care. Instead, it’s being considered as a convenience-based option for those who may not currently have easy access to non-emergency care. Tap Telehealth would provide:
     •    Virtual access to licensed providers
     •    $0 cost per visit (no co-pays or deductibles)
     •    Coverage for the entire household
     •    No insurance required
     Residents are free to continue using their preferred providers, or to opt out of the program entirely. This initiative also supports regional goals identified in the McHenry and Kane County Community Health Assessments, which name access to care as one of the most pressing health challenges facing area residents.
3. Is this “socialized medicine”?
   • No. The Village is not providing or funding healthcare services. If implemented, the Village would simply be facilitating access to a private subscription-based service on an opt-out basis, similar to other voluntary utility services like garbage collection. There is no government-run medical care and no taxpayer funding involved.
4. Who decided this program should be explored?
   • The Village Board directed staff to explore opportunities to support community health, based on priorities identified in the McHenry and Kane County Community Health Assessments. A key focus of that directive was improving access to care, which both assessments identified as a leading regional health concern.  In response, staff evaluated potential solutions and identified the proposed telehealth service for further consideration. Public input continues to be part of the review process, and no final decision has been made.
5. Is this even legal without a referendum?
   • Yes, the Village of Algonquin has statutory authority under the Illinois Constitution to implement voluntary programs like this without a referendum, unless specifically required by state law.
6. What if someone is misdiagnosed or harmed—what is the Village’s liability?
   • The Village would not be providing medical care. All services would be delivered by licensed providers employed by Tap Telehealth, who carry malpractice insurance and are responsible for all medical decisions. The agreement includes indemnification provisions to protect the Village from liability arising from clinical care.
7. Why would a charge for Telehealth Services be placed on my utility bill?
   • If approved, a clearly identified line item would be added to the utility bill so the program fee could be charged only to participating households rather than to all households through general taxes. This method is standard in many communities for other services such as garbage collection, stormwater management, or yard waste pickup, but would be new in Algonquin for this purpose. The charge would appear as “Telehealth Services.” Participation would be voluntary, and residents could opt out at any time. Once you opt out, the charge would be removed from future bills.
8. Is this just a money grab by the Village?
   • No. If approved, this program would be entirely voluntary and would operate on a user fee basis, meaning only households that choose to participate would pay for it. The Village would not profit from the program; fees would be collected solely to cover the cost of providing telehealth services. Our goal is to make an additional, convenient healthcare access option available to residents who want it, not to raise general revenue. Residents who do not wish to participate could opt out at any time, and no charges would appear on their utility bill.