YourVoice.Now Summary
New federal advice on telehealth for people who speak little English — tips only, no new rules for doctors
The details
Most people would see no direct change from this bill. It is about video doctor visits for people who do not speak English well. Within 1 year, the Department of Health and Human Services would write advice for health tech companies, doctors, hospitals, and insurers. The advice would cover how to bring an interpreter into a video visit. It would also cover how to explain, in plain terms, how to join a video visit. Other topics include patient websites and group video calls with an interpreter. The advice would also cover patient materials in many languages, such as text reminders and drug instructions. The agency would first talk with groups that include interpreters, language companies, and patient advocates. The advice is a set of best practices. The bill does not make anyone follow it. The bill's full title mentions a task force, but its text creates none.
Congressional Summary
Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge Act of 2025 or the SPEAK Act of 2025 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.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-03-14
- Date Added
- 2026-10-15
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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