A Republican bill with 10 Democratic cosponsors · See all 17 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "SPEAK Act of 2025," directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue specific guidance regarding telehealth and health information technology. The goal is to improve access for individuals with limited English proficiency. The Secretary must consult with various entities, including health care providers and technology companies, to develop these guidelines. The guidance covers topics such as using interpreters during telemedicine, accessing telecommunications systems, and using digital patient portals. It also addresses the provision of patient materials and appointment reminders in multiple languages.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +7
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill provides critical tools for non-English speakers, which benefits many immigrant populations.
- Scored +7
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill improves healthcare access by establishing best practices for telehealth and digital tools for non-English speakers.
- Scored +6
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?
The bill significantly benefits non-English speakers, a large demographic within the Hispanic community.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Telemedicine Access: The bill seeks to establish best practices for integrating interpreters during telemedicine appointments, which could help those with limited English proficiency communicate better with doctors (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Easier Navigation of Digital Tools: By providing guidance on how to access telecommunications systems and digital patient portals, the bill aims to make it easier for non-English speakers to use online health tools (Section 2(a)(2) and 2(a)(3)).
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Better Communication of Health Information: The creation of best practices for providing patient materials, instructions, and appointment reminders in multiple languages could ensure individuals receive critical health information and prescription details in a language they understand (Section 2(a)(5)).
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Enhanced Video Call Capabilities: The bill looks at integrating video platforms that allow for multi-person calls, which can be used to include interpreters during a medical appointment (Section 2(a)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill provides critical tools for non-English speakers, which benefits many immigrant populations. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — The bill significantly benefits non-English speakers, a large demographic within the Asian American community. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill significantly benefits non-English speakers, a large demographic within the Hispanic community. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill benefits low-income households that may rely heavily on public health communications and digital access.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill improves healthcare access by establishing best practices for telehealth and digital tools for non-English speakers.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill improves accessibility to digital health platforms for non-English speakers.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill directs the Secretary of HHS to establish guidance and a task force.
- 11/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/23/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/14/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 10 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
4 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Nanette BarragánDemocrat · California
Henry CuellarDemocrat · Texas
Juan CiscomaniRepublican · Arizona
Gabe EvansRepublican · Colorado
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Julie JohnsonDemocrat · Texas
Young KimRepublican · California
Susie LeeDemocrat · Nevada
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Jimmy PanettaDemocrat · California
Brittany PettersenDemocrat · Colorado
David ValadaoRepublican · California
Marc VeaseyDemocrat · Texas
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia
Robert WittmanRepublican · Virginia