SPEAK Act of 2024

Bill: 118-hr-6033
Sponsor: Rep. Steel, Michelle [R-CA-45]
Introduced: 2023-10-24 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Health technology, devices, supplies
Internet, web applications, social media

Summary:
action_date: 2023-10-24
text: 

Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge Act of 2023 or the SPEAK Act of 2023

This bill establishes the Improved Access to Health Care Information Technology for non-English Speakers Task Force.

The task force must assess any current barriers that limit the ability of non-English speakers to access telehealth services and recommend improvements (e.g., technological enhancements). The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must collect information from relevant stakeholders to inform the task force's assessments and recommendations. 

HHS must establish a website with best practices for connecting non-English speakers with telehealth services, based on the task force's final report.

action_date: 2024-07-30
text: 

Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge Act of 2024 or the SPEAK Act of 2024

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance with best practices for improving telehealth services for non-English speakers, including with respect to using interpreters, providing accessible instructions, and enabling multi-person video calls. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-09-18
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2024-09-17
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2024-09-17
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5306-5307)
action_date: 2024-09-17
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5306-5307)
action_date: 2024-09-17
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6033.
action_date: 2024-09-17
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5306-5308)
action_date: 2024-09-17
text: Mrs. Rodgers (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2024-07-30
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 519.
action_date: 2024-07-30
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-621.
action_date: 2024-07-30
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-621.
action_date: 2024-06-12
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
action_date: 2024-06-12
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2024-05-16
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 0.
action_date: 2024-05-16
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2023-11-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2023-10-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2023-10-24
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-10-24
text: Introduced in House