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

Next up: A house committeeNo action in 6 months

The Mental Health TALK SAFE Act of 2026 is currently in the House committee stage. Nothing has happened with this bill since it was introduced in January 2026. It must be reviewed by the House committees on Energy and Commerce and the Judiciary before it can move forward.

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.

No votes, news coverage, or related bills recorded for this bill 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.

Data Sources

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)

R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.