[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 144 (Tuesday, September 17, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5306-H5308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
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SUPPORTING PATIENT EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE ACT OF 2024
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and pass the bill (H.R. 6033) 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, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6033
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Supporting Patient Education
And Knowledge Act of 2024'' or the ``SPEAK Act of 2024''.
SEC. 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.
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(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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Washington (Mrs. Rodgers) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Pallone) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Washington.
General Leave
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on the
bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Washington?
There was no objection.
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as
I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6033, the Supporting Patient
Education And Knowledge Act, or SPEAK Act, of 2024, led by
Congresswoman Michelle Steel.
Mrs. Steel's legislation will make telehealth more accessible for
patients with limited English proficiency. Telehealth became widely
used during the COVID-19 public health emergency with as many as one in
four Medicare beneficiaries utilizing the platform.
In 2022, Congress further extended the availability of telehealth
services through the end of this year.
I believe that telehealth technology can, in some cases, help seniors
access care in a timelier fashion, keeping them healthier and, in some
cases, avoid costly complications from delayed treatment.
As Congress considers further extensions of telehealth flexibilities,
this bill will ensure more seniors with limited English language
proficiency can still benefit from telehealth.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6033, the Supporting Patient
Education And Knowledge Act, or SPEAK Act, sponsored by Representatives
Steel and Gomez and cosponsored by Representative Cardenas.
H.R. 6033 requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to
issue guidance to improve access to healthcare for individuals with
limited English proficiency. Specifically, the bill requires the HHS
Secretary to consult with healthcare entities such as providers, health
insurers, and consumer advocacy groups to identify best practices for
improving access to telehealth services for patients with limited
English proficiency.
The expansion of telehealth flexibility during the COVID-19 public
health emergency and subsequently in the Consolidated Appropriations
Act of 2023 has allowed millions of patients to receive access to
necessary care. Since then, further expansion of telehealth services
has helped provide critical services to hard-to-reach populations and
helped beneficiaries in areas that are already underserved.
However, individuals and families with limited English proficiency
can face significant barriers to accessing telehealth services and
other healthcare information technology. H.R. 6033 will help identify
and address barriers to accessing virtual health services for millions
of patients with limited English proficiency.
This bill is supported by the National Immigration Law Center, the
American Medical Association, America's Essential Hospitals, Justice in
Aging, the National Health Law Program, and the American Academy of
Family Physicians, among many others.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this
important bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Steel), who is the leader of this
legislation.
Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge passage of my healthcare
legislation with Congressman Gomez.
The Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge Act, the SPEAK Act,
will improve access to telehealth for 25 million Americans with limited
English proficiency and will help tackle the over $1.7 billion in
medical costs driven by language barriers.
The SPEAK Act will also help bring public and private actors together
to identify best practices and improve telehealth access for urban and
rural communities.
Telehealth services can be more affordable than traditional care,
addressing a key need at a time of rising costs. It is transforming
healthcare by increasing access, reducing costs, and improving
outcomes.
As we continue to improve healthcare via new technology, I am focused
on ensuring no American is left behind in the digital age.
As an immigrant myself who speaks English as a third language, I know
the importance of services being available to all Americans.
My beautifully diverse district in southern California is a key
example. My constituents speak English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean,
Chinese, Tagalog, and more. I am proud to be their champion in
Congress.
No matter what language you speak, Mr. Speaker, everyone should have
access to telehealth. Everyone should have access to high-quality and
affordable care.
I thank everyone who has supported the bill and worked hard for its
passage. The SPEAK Act could be life-changing for so many people.
Mr. Speaker, I call on the House to pass the SPEAK Act and join me in
increasing healthcare access, lowering costs, and improving patient
outcomes.
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Cardenas).
Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6033, the
Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge Act, which I am proud to co-
lead with my Republican colleague from the other side of the
aisle, Representative Steel, and several of my colleagues on both sides
of the aisle.
I am encouraged by this bipartisan effort and commitment to help
ensure access to quality care across the United States.
Clear communication between patients and providers improves critical
health outcomes, helps prevent potentially deadly errors, and it is the
cornerstone of our health system.
As we continue the work to improve healthcare in America, we have a
responsibility to all people in America, and this includes the 25
million people with limited English proficiency in the United States.
A failure to address the challenges individuals with limited English
proficiency face would impact the health of all Americans, complicating
expansions of telehealth services, and leading to higher system costs.
The SPEAK Act is a critical step in addressing these challenges. This
legislation recognizes the diverse fabric of our Nation and fosters
collaboration that is vital to guaranteeing our healthcare system meets
the needs of all individuals.
By bringing providers, physicians, hospitals, health insurance
companies, language service providers, and patient voices to the table,
we advance our shared goal of increasing access while helping patients
feel secure and confident when they seek care.
Helping providers communicate accurate health information to limited
English proficient people benefits everyone. Ensuring telehealth
advancements are accessible to limited English
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proficient people benefits everyone as well.
Developing and implementing best practices to overcome barriers
ensures that every individual, regardless of their linguistic
background, receives the care they need and deserve.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Congresswoman Steel, for co-
leading this bill, and I also would like to take an opportunity to
thank all of the committee staff and the staff from all of our teams
for all of the wonderful work that they put into not just this bill but
the many bills we are discussing this evening.
One of the things that frustrates me about being a Congressman is
that beautiful moments like this when we come together and work on a
bipartisan basis will never be seen on the news. If somebody gets into
an argument with somebody in committee, they will carry that over and
over and over, which leads the American people to believe we do not
work together and that we do not care about everyone. Yes, we do.
So, once again, I thank the chairwoman, the ranking member, and
everyone on the committee for bringing these wonderful bills to the
floor and the many bills we have yet to work on throughout the rest of
this year.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would urge support for this
bipartisan bill because it is so important for improving access for
telehealth services for persons with limited English proficiency, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage a
``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. Rodgers) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6033, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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