SPEAK Act of 2024

Bill: 118-hr-6033
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Steel, Michelle [R-CA-45]
Introduced: 2023-10-24
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
Latest action: action_date: 2024-09-18
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-10-24
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge Act of 2023 or the SPEAK Act of 2023</strong></p><p>This bill establishes the Improved Access to Health Care Information Technology for non-English Speakers Task Force.</p><p>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.&nbsp;</p><p>HHS must establish a website with best practices for connecting non-English speakers with telehealth services, based on the task force's final report.</p>

action_date: 2024-07-30
action_desc: Reported to House
text: <p><strong>Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge Act of 2024 or the SPEAK Act of 2024</strong></p><p>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.&nbsp;</p>

tv_txt: IIB 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6033 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 18, 2024 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions AN ACT To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a task force to improve access to health care information technology for non-English speakers.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge Act of 2024 or the SPEAK Act of 2024 . 2. Guidance on furnishing services via telehealth to individuals with limited English proficiency (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with 1 or more entities from each of the categories described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of subsection (b) , shall issue and disseminate, or update and revise as applicable, guidance for the entities described in such subsection on the following: (1) Best practices on facilitating and integrating use of interpreters during a telemedicine appointment. (2) Best practices on providing accessible instructions on how to access telecommunications systems (as such term is used for purposes of section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) ) for individuals with limited English proficiency. (3) Best practices on improving access to digital patient portals for individuals with limited English proficiency. (4) Best practices on integrating the use of video platforms that enable multi-person video calls furnished via a telecommunications system for purposes of providing interpretation during a telemedicine appointment for an individual with limited English proficiency. (5) Best practices for providing patient materials, communications, and instructions in multiple languages, including text message appointment reminders and prescription information. (b) Entities described For purposes of subsection (a) , an entity described in this subsection is an entity in 1 or more of the following categories: (1) Health information technology service providers, including— (A) electronic medical record companies; (B) remote patient monitoring companies; and (C) telehealth or mobile health vendors and companies. (2) Health care providers, including— (A) physicians; and (B) hospitals. (3) Health insurers. (4) Language service companies. (5) Interpreter or translator professional associations. (6) Health and language services quality certification organizations. (7) Patient and consumer advocates, including such advocates that work with individuals with limited English proficiency.

Passed the House of Representatives September 17, 2024. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6033 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a task force to improve access to health care information technology for non-English speakers.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge Act of 2024 or the SPEAK Act of 2024 . 2. Guidance on furnishing services via telehealth to individuals with limited English proficiency (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with 1 or more entities from each of the categories described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of subsection (b) , shall issue and disseminate, or update and revise as applicable, guidance for the entities described in such subsection on the following: (1) Best practices on facilitating and integrating use of interpreters during a telemedicine appointment. (2) Best practices on providing accessible instructions on how to access telecommunications systems (as such term is used for purposes of section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) ) for individuals with limited English proficiency. (3) Best practices on improving access to digital patient portals for individuals with limited English proficiency. (4) Best practices on integrating the use of video platforms that enable multi-person video calls furnished via a telecommunications system for purposes of providing interpretation during a telemedicine appointment for an individual with limited English proficiency. (5) Best practices for providing patient materials, communications, and instructions in multiple languages, including text message appointment reminders and prescription information. (b) Entities described For purposes of subsection (a) , an entity described in this subsection is an entity in 1 or more of the following categories: (1) Health information technology service providers, including— (A) electronic medical record companies; (B) remote patient monitoring companies; and (C) telehealth or mobile health vendors and companies. (2) Health care providers, including— (A) physicians; and (B) hospitals. (3) Health insurers. (4) Language service companies. (5) Interpreter or translator professional associations. (6) Health and language services quality certification organizations. (7) Patient and consumer advocates, including such advocates that work with individuals with limited English proficiency.

Passed the House of Representatives September 17, 2024. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 519 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6033 [Report No. 118–621] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 24, 2023 Mrs. Steel (for herself, Mr. Gomez , Mr. Ciscomani , Mr. Espaillat , Mr. Cárdenas , Ms. De La Cruz , Mrs. Kim of California , Mr. Cuellar , Ms. Chu , Mr. Panetta , Mr. Valadao , Mr. Vargas , Mr. Carbajal , Ms. Lee of Nevada , and Ms. Sewell ) introduced the following bill October 25, 2023 Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce July 30, 2024 Additional sponsors: Mr. Mullin , Ms. Leger Fernandez , Ms. Caraveo , Ms. Pettersen , Mr. Trone , Ms. Pingree , Mr. Lawler , Ms. Norton , Ms. Lee of Florida , Mr. Kilmer , Ms. Balint , Mr. Phillips , Ms. Barragán , Mr. Bilirakis , and Mr. Soto July 30, 2024 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on October 25, 2023 A BILL To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a task force to improve access to health care information technology for non-English speakers.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge Act of 2024 or the SPEAK Act of 2024 . 2. Guidance on furnishing services via telehealth to individuals with limited English proficiency (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with 1 or more entities from each of the categories described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of subsection (b) , shall issue and disseminate, or update and revise as applicable, guidance for the entities described in such subsection on the following: (1) Best practices on facilitating and integrating use of interpreters during a telemedicine appointment. (2) Best practices on providing accessible instructions on how to access telecommunications systems (as such term is used for purposes of section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) ) for individuals with limited English proficiency. (3) Best practices on improving access to digital patient portals for individuals with limited English proficiency. (4) Best practices on integrating the use of video platforms that enable multi-person video calls furnished via a telecommunications system for purposes of providing interpretation during a telemedicine appointment for an individual with limited English proficiency. (5) Best practices for providing patient materials, communications, and instructions in multiple languages, including text message appointment reminders and prescription information. (b) Entities described For purposes of subsection (a) , an entity described in this subsection is an entity in 1 or more of the following categories: (1) Health information technology service providers, including— (A) electronic medical record companies; (B) remote patient monitoring companies; and (C) telehealth or mobile health vendors and companies. (2) Health care providers, including— (A) physicians; and (B) hospitals. (3) Health insurers. (4) Language service companies. (5) Interpreter or translator professional associations. (6) Health and language services quality certification organizations. (7) Patient and consumer advocates, including such advocates that work with individuals with limited English proficiency.

July 30, 2024 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 6033 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 24, 2023 Mrs. Steel (for herself, Mr. Gomez , Mr. Ciscomani , Mr. Espaillat , Mr. Cárdenas , Ms. De La Cruz , Mrs. Kim of California , Mr. Cuellar , Ms. Chu , Mr. Panetta , Mr. Valadao , Mr. Vargas , Mr. Carbajal , Ms. Lee of Nevada , and Ms. Sewell ) introduced the following bill October 25, 2023 Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a task force to improve access to health care information technology for non-English speakers.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge Act of 2023 or the SPEAK Act of 2023 . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Telehealth has become a critical source of health care for patients. (2) Patients with limited English proficiency have lower telehealth use rates than proficient English speakers. (3) Patients with limited English proficiency are less likely to utilize video telehealth options for primary care visits. (4) Physicians providing telehealth services for people with limited English proficiency would benefit from additional resources and support. (5) Access to telehealth saves patients money through reduced travel costs, as well as time-related tradeoffs. 3. Improved access to health care information technology for non-English speakers task force (a) In general Within 180 days of the passage of this legislation, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary ) shall convene a task force known as the Improved Access to Health Care Information Technology for non-English Speakers Task Force (in this section referred to as the Task Force ) to— (1) assess current barriers to health information technology services, including telehealth platforms and patient portals, for people with limited English proficiency; and (2) develop recommendations and best practices for addressing identified barriers including— (A) how health information technology platforms can be designed to maximize access for people with limited English proficiency, including those with additional barriers such as living in rural locations or with communications-related disabilities; (B) how health information technology platforms and language service providers, including providers of remote video interpretation, can improve integration; and (C) how health care providers can best facilitate access to health information technology for their patients with limited English proficiency. (b) Membership The Task Force shall be composed of representatives of— (1) the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; (2) the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; (3) the Health Resources and Services Administration; (4) the Office of Minority Health; (5) the Office for Civil Rights; (6) health information technology service providers, including electronic medical record, remote patient monitoring and tele- and mobile-health vendors and companies; (7) health care providers, including practicing physicians, and hospitals; (8) health care insurance companies; (9) language service companies; (10) interpreter and translator professional associations; (11) health and language services quality certification organizations; (12) patient and consumer advocates, including but not limited to those working directly with limited English-proficient populations; and (13) any other entity determined necessary by the Secretary. (c) Request for information (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a request for information for health care providers, insurance plans, consumer organizations, language service providers, interpreters and other relevant parties on barriers to providing telehealth services to people with limited English proficiency. (2) Summary of responses The Secretary shall compile and summarize the responses to the request for information for the Task Force which shall utilize them in completing its duties under section (a). (d) Submission to Congress (1) Interim report Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this section, the Task Force shall submit to Congress a report on the progress of the Task Force in carrying out subsection (a). (2) Final report Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Task Force shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the activities of the Task Force in carrying out subsection (a), including— (A) the results of the assessment under subsection (a)(1); and (B) any recommendations and best practices developed under subsection (a)(2). 4. Best practices publication No later than 90 days after completion of each report described in section 2(d), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall publish, publicize, and maintain a website for the purposes of informing health care and technology providers about best practices for connecting people with limited English proficiency to health care information technology services. The website shall provide guidance and resources, identifying best practices in— (1) facilitating and integrating use of interpreters during telehealth sessions; (2) providing accessible instructions on how to access telehealth platforms for people with limited English proficiency; (3) improving access to digital patient portals; and (4) other topics need appropriate by the Secretary, as advised by the Task Force established under section 3.