[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]




                              {time}  2100
         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.

[[Page H5307]]

       (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

[[Page H5308]]

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.

                              {time}  2110

  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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