PASSED: Congresswoman Lee-led Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Health Care Access for Non-English Speakers Passes House

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Susie Lee’s (NV-03) bipartisan legislation to expand health care access for non-English and limited English proficiency speakers passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge (SPEAK) Act, co-led by Congresswoman Michelle Steel (CA-45), would improve access to health care information technologies such as telehealth and patient portals.

Nearly 30% of Nevadans regularly speak a language other than English at home, but local health care services do not reflect appropriate language capabilities to get them the care they need. Meanwhile, every county in Nevada is already designated as a health professional shortage area with inadequate telehealth services, making it difficult to get care to southern Nevadans regardless of the language they speak. 

The SPEAK Act would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a task force of industry experts and stakeholders to improve health care information technology such as teleheath and patient portals, as well as using interpreters, providing accessible instructions, and enabling multi-person video calls. The task force would then develop recommendations and best practices for addressing barriers for people with limited English proficiency. 

“Understanding our health care options can sometimes be complicated, and that is especially true for the 300,000 Nevadans who don’t speak English as their first language,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “Many of these same people rely on telehealth services to access their health care, as they are either homebound, disabled, or have limited transportation. My bipartisan bill will make it easier for the millions of Americans across this country who struggle with language and transportation barriers to access this health care tool that they need and in a way that they can understand.” 

###