Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6817
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-17: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-12T08:05:53Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2025 aims to create a federal grant program to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder services for people in rural areas with limited healthcare and workers in farming, fishing, or forestry jobs. It focuses on delivering these services remotely through "telemental health" (using technology like video calls for mental health care) directly in patients' homes or comfortable settings, addressing barriers like distance and provider shortages in underserved communities.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Covered populations include rural areas designated as health professional shortage areas (regions lacking enough doctors or mental health experts) or people working in farming, fishing, or forestry (as classified by the U.S. Department of Labor).
- Eligible entities are public or nonprofit networks of telemental health providers offering mental health and substance use services by trained professionals (e.g., psychiatrists or qualified counselors).
- Home-based telemental health refers to remote care where patients are at home or in a preferred location, using electronic tools for consultations, education, and support.
- Grant Program: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in consultation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Health Liaison, awards grants to eligible entities to expand remote mental health services for covered populations.
- Use of Funds:
- Provide home-based telemental health services.
- Develop ways to measure service quality and effectiveness compared to in-person care (e.g., tracking outcomes like patient satisfaction or recovery rates).
- Build infrastructure, such as improving broadband internet access, supplying devices (like tablets) for patients, and covering technology costs for providers to ensure high-quality remote care.
- Reporting Requirements: HHS, with USDA input, must report to Congress on the program's impact and care quality starting 3 years after launch, and every 2 years after that.
- Funding: Up to $10 million per fiscal year from 2025 to 2029 can be used for the program, drawn from existing HHS funds.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act (a key federal law governing public health programs) by adding a new section (330K-1). It introduces a targeted grant program for home-based telemental health specifically for rural underserved groups and certain occupations, building on existing rural health initiatives but emphasizing remote, home-delivered care and infrastructure support. Previously, federal telehealth efforts existed but lacked this focused funding and metrics for these populations.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Could increase access to mental health and substance use support for rural residents and agricultural workers, who often face high stress, isolation, and limited local services, potentially reducing suicide rates, addiction issues, and untreated conditions.
- On Government Agencies: HHS and USDA must collaborate on grant administration and reporting, increasing coordination between health and agriculture departments. It may strain budgets if demand exceeds $10 million annually but promotes efficient use of telehealth to serve remote areas.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. populations.
- Broader Effects: May encourage wider adoption of telehealth in rural America, helping bridge healthcare gaps post-COVID-19, though success depends on broadband expansion in remote areas.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Rural and Occupational Communities: People in rural health shortage areas and farming, fishing, or forestry workers, who gain better access to care without traveling long distances.
- Healthcare Providers: Telemental health networks (public and nonprofit) that receive grants to expand services and infrastructure.
- Government Entities: HHS (leads program), USDA (provides rural expertise), and congressional committees (e.g., Energy and Commerce) overseeing reports and funding.
- Technology and Infrastructure Providers: Companies or organizations involved in broadband, devices, and telehealth tools, which may see increased demand.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens federal support for telehealth under the Public Health Service Act without creating new regulatory burdens; grants must comply with existing privacy laws like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which protects patient health information). No challenges to state authority over healthcare delivery.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to spend on public health (under the General Welfare Clause) and promote general welfare, with no apparent free speech, privacy, or equal protection issues.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Rep. Salinas, D-OR, and Rep. Harshbarger, R-TN) highlights rural health as a cross-party priority, potentially influencing future farm bill or health funding debates. It addresses equity in mental health access, a growing national concern, but funding caps may limit scope without additional appropriations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1], Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-34]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-17: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-12-17: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-17 — PDF (5 pages)