SPEAK Act of 2025
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
The SPEAK Act of 2025 aims to improve access to healthcare information technology for people who don't speak English fluently. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create guidance for various healthcare organizations on how to better support these patients, particularly through telemedicine and digital tools. The goal is to ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency can easily understand and utilize healthcare services and resources. This includes providing interpreters, accessible instructions, and materials in multiple languages.
Key provisions
- Establishes a task force within the Department of Health and Human Services.
- Requires the Department to issue guidance on using interpreters during telemedicine appointments.
- Requires the Department to provide guidance on accessible telecommunications systems for limited English proficiency individuals.
- Requires the Department to provide guidance on improving access to digital patient portals for limited English proficiency individuals.
- Requires the Department to provide guidance on integrating video platforms for interpretation during telemedicine.
- Requires the Department to provide guidance on providing patient materials in multiple languages.
- Defines a list of entities to consult with in developing the guidance.
Who is affected
- Individuals with limited English proficiency
- Health information technology service providers
Bill text
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
18 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
![Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] Norton](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcivik-platform-media-us-east-1-prod.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Flegislator-portraits%2Fcongress%2FN000147.jpg&w=64&q=75){kind=small}
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