President Trump to Sign SPEAK Act into Law, Representing a GREAT WIN for Millions of Latinos

Arlington, VA – Today, The LIBRE Initiative, the nation’s center-right Latino organization, and Americans for Prosperity released a statement ahead of President Donald Trump’s anticipated signing of the Supporting Patient Education and Knowledge (SPEAK) Act into law. This legislation would not have been possible without the determination of a bipartisan group of House lawmakers (see background section below for names and details).

The bipartisan legislation directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a task force and develop best practices to remove language barriers in health information technology.

Beyond that this legislation also aligns with the personal option philosophy. A commonsense philosophy that believes that individuals and not the government should be in control of their health care. By increasing accessibility and quality we can build towards affordability for all Americans.

By creating a task force that includes health IT providers, hospitals, and patient advocates, the SPEAK Act will:

• Identify best practices for integrating interpreters into virtual visits.
• Develop multi-language patient materials and appointment instructions.
• Improve health outcomes and reduce costs associated with communication-related medical errors. A study found that poor communication costs the US nearly 2,000 lives and $1.7 billion in hospitals costs between 2009 and 2013.

This move is a major victory for the millions of Hispanic Americans who face challenges accessing quality care due to limited English proficiency.

Sandra Benitez, Executive Director for The LIBRE Initiative, issued the following statement:

“For too long, language barriers have stood between many in the Hispanic community and the quality healthcare they deserve. Telemedicine has the power to revolutionize health access, but only if it is accessible to everyone. By ensuring that telehealth platforms are compatible with interpreters and available in multiple languages, the SPEAK Act isn’t just a policy win –it’s a win for the health and prosperity of our families. We are proud to see this common-sense, bipartisan solution head to the President’s desk.”

Lauren Stewart, Senior Government Affairs Liaison at Americans for Prosperity, release the following statement:

“The SPEAK Act is a critical step toward a more patient-centered health care system—one that puts individuals, not bureaucracy, in control of their care. By expanding access to telehealth, this bill puts personalized, on-demand health care at the fingertips of more than 25 million Americans, while eliminating unnecessary costs and billions of dollars in medical malpractice expenses. The SPEAK Act reflects the heart of the personal option: increasing access to quality health care by leveraging innovation when, where and how it fits best for each American family. We commend Congress and President Trump for continuing to drive solutions that boost access, increase options and lower costs.”

Angel Merlos, Strategic Director for The LIBRE Initiative in Colorado, issued the following statement:

“For the Colorado Hispanic community, the SPEAK Act is about more than just technology—it’s about dignity and independence. Families should not have to rely on their children to act as translators for complex medical appointments. Colorado was able to count on the early bipartisan support of our federal delegation. This bill empowers patients to take charge of their own health in their preferred language, ensuring that every Coloradan has the tools they need to pursue the American Dream.”

Jorge Martinez, Strategic Director for The LIBRE Initiative in Texas, issued the following statement:

“Texas is home to one of the largest and most dynamic Hispanic populations in the country, yet thousands of our neighbors have been left behind by the digital health revolution due to simple communication gaps. This legislation is a common-sense victory that removes government-induced friction in the healthcare market, allowing providers to better serve the Latino community and ensuring that language is no longer a barrier to a path of prosperity.”

Monet Bacs, Strategic Director for The LIBRE Initiative in Arizona, issued the following statement:

“In Arizona, many of our families live in rural or underserved areas where traveling to a specialist is a major burden. Telehealth should be the great equalizer, but it only works if you can understand your doctor. By breaking down these language barriers, the SPEAK Act ensures that our community can finally utilize the full potential of modern medicine to stay healthy and productive.”

Background:

Through the tireless efforts of Congresswoman De La Cruz (TX-15) and Representatives Evans (CO-08), Veasey (TX-33), Pettersen (CO-07), Lee (NV-03), Valadao (CA-22), Kim (CA-40), Ciscomani (AZ-06), Cuellar (TX-28), Wittman (VA-01), Ansari (AZ-03), and Johnson (TX-32), this bipartisan piece of legislation will directly improve outcomes for the over 25 million individuals with limited English proficiency.

LIBRE was an early and vocal advocate for the SPEAK Act, taking over 200 meetings on Capitol Hill in support of this legislation and recognizing it as a common-sense solution to a critical gap. From the bill’s introduction, LIBRE mobilized its grassroots to bridge the gap between Hispanic families and Lawmakers in D.C.

Our advocacy effort included:

• Media & Public Awareness: Publishing op-eds and conducting media interviews that highlight the barriers many families face in this space.
• Direct Advocacy: Meeting with key congressional offices to emphasize the bipartisan nature of the bill and its alignment with the principles of innovation and individual empowerment.
• Grassroots Mobilization: Engaging community leaders across LIBRE’s 13-state chapters to demonstrate the real-world demand for telehealth platforms that “speak the language” of the patients they serve.

LIBRE has been a consistent dedicated partner to lawmakers since the very beginning. Our pivotal role ensured that this legislation moved through the committee process and onto the President’s desk.