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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 6994

Mental Health TALK SAFE Act of 2026

House Bill Would Allow Telehealth Mental Health Prescriptions Without In-Person Visits

3 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill allows doctors and advanced practice nurses to prescribe certain controlled substances for mental health and opioid use disorder after a telehealth evaluation, removing the strict requirement for an initial in-person visit.
  • The policy sets strict standards for telehealth companies, requiring them to employ a high number of full-time psychiatrists and prohibiting them from owning mail-order pharmacies or charging recurring subscription fees for medications.
  • Pharmacists would be banned from refusing to fill a prescription solely because it was issued through telehealth; they must first attempt to contact the doctor and patient to verify the order or face civil penalties up to $25,000.
  • Psychiatrists would be allowed to treat patients in other states more easily, provided their home state license is similar to the other state's requirements and their professional insurance covers the services.
  • The bill aims to increase access to mental health and addiction treatment by letting patients use video or audio technology to get necessary medications from qualified providers, regardless of where the doctor is located.
HealthcarePrescription DrugsDrug PolicyTelecommunications

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Mixed Impacts(1)
Small Business Owner
Neutral

Telehealth companies face strict new requirements like staffing minimums and pharmacy ownership bans, but gain a clear legal framework to operate.

Positive Impacts(8)
Mental Health
Helps

People with mental health conditions could get controlled substance prescriptions via telehealth without needing an in-person visit first.

Chronic Illness
Helps

People with opioid use disorder could receive treatment medications through telehealth, making it easier to access addiction care.

Medicaid
Helps

Patients on Medicaid could more easily access mental health prescribers via telehealth, especially in areas with provider shortages.

Medicare
Helps

Medicare patients could benefit from expanded telehealth prescribing for mental health controlled substances without in-person visits.

Aca Marketplace
Helps

ACA marketplace enrollees gain easier access to mental health prescriptions through telehealth, reducing barriers to care.

Military Veteran
Helps

Veterans in rural areas could more easily access mental health medications through telehealth without traveling to see a provider in person.

Cognitive Developmental
Helps

People with developmental disabilities who struggle to travel for appointments could receive mental health prescriptions via telehealth.

Physical Disability
Helps

People with mobility challenges can now get mental health controlled substance prescriptions without traveling to a doctor's office.

State Impacts

FloridaFL
Positive

The bill was introduced by Rep. Dunn of Florida, reflecting the state's interest in expanding telehealth mental health access.

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Jan 9, 2026House

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.

Jan 9, 2026

Introduced in House

The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.

Votes

No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.

News

No related news coverage found for this legislation yet.

Related Bills

No related bills have been identified yet.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Mental Health TALK SAFE Act of 2026

Bill NumberHR 6994
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.