Report on federal efforts to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate health care services

(a) Report Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall seek to enter into a contract with the National Academy of Medicine for the preparation and publication of a report that describes Federal efforts to ensure that all individuals with limited English proficiency have meaningful access to health care services and health care-related services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate. Such report shall include— (1) a description and evaluation of the activities carried out under this Act; (2) a description and analysis of best practices, model programs, guidelines, and other effective strategies for providing access to culturally and linguistically appropriate health care services; (3) recommendations on the development and implementation of policies and practices by providers of health care services and health care-related services for individuals with limited English proficiency, including people with cognitive, hearing, vision, or print impairments; (4) recommend guidelines or standards for health literacy and plain language, informed consent, discharge instructions, and written communications, and for improvement of health care access; (5) a description of the effect of providing language services on quality of health care and access to care; and (6) a description of the costs associated with or savings related to the provision of language services. (b) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.