The Garland City Council has voted to approve a telehealth program, clearing the way for thousands of residents to gain access to on-demand healthcare in a city that lacks a full-service hospital.
The measure passed 7–2 after months of public discussion, making Garland the largest city yet to adopt the program.
Tap Telehealth, developed by Texas-based MD Health Pathways, is designed to give residents faster, more convenient access to medical professionals without the traditional barriers of transportation, long wait times, or limited local infrastructure.
The program’s origins are tied to Garland.
As previously reported on by The Dallas Express, MD Health Pathways CEO and founder Dirk Perritt, an emergency medicine physician who practiced at a Garland hospital, drew on his experience treating patients who struggled to access timely care when shaping the vision for the telehealth platform.
“This is a landmark moment for MD Health Pathways and for Garland,” said Perritt in a press release provided to DX. “Garland is the largest city in America without a hospital, and with this approval, it is setting a powerful example for how communities can leverage innovation to deliver more accessible and responsive healthcare. We are proud to partner with Garland in leading the way.”
Garland’s adoption of Tap Telehealth highlights how cities are exploring innovative tools to expand healthcare options. For communities managing rapid growth and evolving healthcare needs, technology-driven solutions like telehealth can serve as a complement to traditional care models while broadening access for residents.
Participation is voluntary, and anyone who does not wish to use the service will have the option to opt out.
MD Health Pathways says it will work with city officials and community partners to launch a campaign to educate residents and encourage adoption ahead of the platform’s formal launch at its own expense.
