Breaking Barriers: The SPEAK Act’s Push for Greater Telehealth Access
March 14, 2025
By Isabel Soto, Policy Director for The LIBRE Initiative
Today, Representative Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) and co-leads Representative Evans (CO-08), Representative Veasey (TX-33), and Representative Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced key legislation to advance a vison of health care that is more accessible and facilitates more personal and effective delivery of care. The Supporting Patient Education and Knowledge (SPEAK) Act takes crucial steps toward a more accessible and better functioning health care system by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance toward for improving telehealth services for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEPs). This kind of forward-thinking measure addresses a glaring gap in telehealth services, ensuring that language barriers and accessibility challenges does not stand between Americans and the care they need.
Telehealth has revolutionized health care, breaking down geographical barriers and providing unprecedented access to medical professionals and care providers. For example, around 60% of psychiatric services are delivered virtually, offering patients the convenience of receiving care from their homes. However, for millions of Americans—particularly seniors, minorities, and individuals with disabilities —telehealth remains out of reach due to language and accessibility limitations.
The SPEAK Act tackles these disparities by taking steps toward exploring the options for implementation of comprehensive language services and accessibility measures that could ensure that no patient is left behind due to language or communication challenges.
Over 25 million Americans have limited English proficiency (LEP), 62% of whom are Hispanic, and many struggle to find health care providers who can communicate with them effectively. For individuals with disabilities that impact speech or comprehension, the challenges are even more severe.
The SPEAK Act is a collaborative, bipartisan effort that unites policymakers, medical professionals, and technology leaders to begin to establish a national framework for improving telehealth accessibility. By fostering collaboration between the government, healthcare providers, and the tech industry, this initiative will create lasting solutions that make telehealth more inclusive and effective for all Americans.
In an age where technology has the power to transform lives, we must ensure that these advancements benefit everyone, not just those who speak English fluently or have no accessibility challenges. By advancing the SPEAK Act, Congress can set a new standard for healthcare access in America but also bring down health care costs for all Americans by tackling the over $1.7 billion in medical malpractice that derives from miscommunication in the health care system.
The promise of telehealth should not be limited—it must be accessible to every American, regardless of language or ability. The SPEAK act paves the way for a healthcare system that truly serves all and has a proven track record. In the 118th Congress, this bill passed unanimously under suspension out of the House and saw high levels of bipartisan support from the Senate. Now is the time to act.
