Sponsors (18)
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Last progress March 14, 2025 (11 months ago)
Introduced on March 14, 2025 by Monica De La Cruz
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue or update guidance within one year on how to deliver telehealth to people with limited English proficiency. The guidance must be created with input from health IT companies, providers, insurers, language service companies, professional associations, quality bodies, and patient advocates. It will spell out best practices for using qualified interpreters, giving clear instructions for telecom systems, improving access to digital patient portals, using multi‑person video platforms to support interpretation, and offering patient materials in multiple languages.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must issue and disseminate, or update and revise as applicable, guidance for the entities described in subsection (b) on furnishing services via telehealth to individuals with limited English proficiency.
The Secretary must develop the guidance in consultation with one or more entities from each of the categories listed in subsection (b)(1) through (b)(7).
The guidance must include best practices on facilitating and integrating use of interpreters during a telemedicine appointment.
The guidance must include best practices on providing accessible instructions on how to access telecommunications systems (as that term is used for purposes of section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act) for individuals with limited English proficiency.
The guidance must include best practices on improving access to digital patient portals for individuals with limited English proficiency.
Updated 3 hours ago
Last progress March 6, 2025 (11 months ago)
Updated 1 hour ago
Last progress March 21, 2025 (11 months ago)
Lower Costs for Everyday Americans Act
Updated 1 hour ago
Last progress March 3, 2025 (11 months ago)
People with limited English proficiency should find telehealth easier to use and more effective, with clearer instructions, easier portal access, and interpreter support. Health care providers will gain practical guidance to standardize interpreter use and patient communication workflows in virtual care. Health IT companies may adjust designs to support multilingual materials, easier onboarding, and multi‑party video for interpretation. Insurers and quality bodies may align requirements and standards with the guidance. Language service companies will see clearer expectations for integration with telehealth platforms. Overall, the guidance is nonregulatory but likely to influence industry standards and improve equity and safety in telehealth encounters for LEP patients.
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026
Updated 2 hours ago
Last progress February 3, 2026 (3 weeks ago)