Press Releases

Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge (SPEAK) Act with Reps. Gabe Evans (R-CO), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Marc Veasey (D-TX) to require the Department of Health and Human Services to create a task force and issue guidance with best practices for improving telehealth for non-English speakers.

Original co-sponsors of the legislation include Reps. David Valadao (R-CA), Young Kim (R-CA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Susie Lee (D-NV), and Nanette Barragán (D-CA).

"Ensuring that all Americans, regardless of their native language, can access quality health care is a priority. The bipartisan SPEAK Act will determine best practices to help facilitate communication between provider and patient to expand quality health care options for millions of Americans." - Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz

The legislation has garnered support from the LIBRE Initiative.

"Millions of Americans—including many in the Latino community—face significant language barriers when seeking medical care. I have seen firsthand with my own family how these challenges can impact access to quality health care. The introduction of the SPEAK Act is a critical step toward ensuring that all patients, regardless of their English proficiency, can fully benefit from telehealth services. We commend Representative De La Cruz for her leadership and commitment to breaking down language barriers in health care. This bipartisan effort demonstrates that lawmakers can still come together to improve the lives of millions." - Sandra Benitez, Executive Director, The LIBRE Initiative

Background:
The Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge (SPEAK) Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a task force to issue guidance to improve access to health care information tools for non-English speakers or individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP).

The guidance will include best practices for healthcare providers and hospitals to distribute accessible instructions in multiple languages, integrate the use of interpreters during appointments, and expand access to non-English telehealth and patient portals.