Bill · H.R. 6994· House(119-HR-6994)
Mental Health TALK SAFE Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 1/9/2026
- Last activity
- 1/9/2026 — 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.
- Sponsored by
- Neal Dunn
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The bill is known as the Mental Health TALK SAFE Act of 2026. It changes how certain controlled substances can be prescribed through the internet and telehealth. Specifically, it allows telehealth practitioners to prescribe approved mental health controlled substances and treatments for opioid use disorders after conducting at least one telehealth evaluation. The legislation also sets rules for pharmacists filling these prescriptions and updates DEA registration rules for telehealth providers. Additionally, it addresses licensure and liability insurance coverage for psychiatrists providing telehealth services across different states.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this make mental health care easier to get?+8
The bill significantly expands access to mental health treatments through modified telehealth prescribing rules.
Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths?+7
The bill specifically eases prescribing requirements for treating opioid use disorder via telehealth.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+6
By streamlining cross-state psychiatry and telehealth rules, patients can access more providers.
The opposite
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-5
The bill reduces state authority by preempting state laws that regulate telehealth and psychiatric licensure.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Easier Access to Mental Health Care via Telehealth: Under Section 2, patients can receive valid prescriptions for approved mental health controlled substances and opioid use disorder treatments after completing just one telehealth evaluation. This makes getting necessary care much easier for people who live far from doctors or have trouble traveling.
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Protection Against Unfair Prescription Refusals: Section 2(d) protects patients by stopping pharmacists from refusing to fill a telehealth prescription simply because it came from a telehealth evaluation. Pharmacists must now try to communicate with the patient and the prescriber to resolve any valid concerns, helping ensure patients actually get their prescribed medication.
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Reduced Red Tape for Doctors Treating Patients Across State Lines: Under Section 4, qualified psychiatrists licensed in their primary state can provide telehealth services to patients in secondary states without needing a brand new license in that second state, provided the requirements are substantially similar. This helps patients connect with available specialists more quickly.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Civil Penalties for Pharmacists: Under Section 2(d), pharmacists face a civil penalty of up to $25,000 per violation if they refuse to fill a prescription without following the newly required validation steps. This could put heavy pressure on individual pharmacists who are trying to exercise cautious professional judgment regarding suspicious prescriptions.
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Federal Preemption of Local Laws: Section 5 explicitly states that this Act supersedes and preempts any state statute, regulation, or order that restricts the activities permitted by the bill. This means local state laws and protections enacted by elected state officials can be overridden by these federal telehealth rules.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+8Improves Opioid Crisis Response+7Improves Healthcare Access+6
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+5Increase States Rights-5
- 9/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/9/2026
- 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.
- Introduced in House
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey
Haley StevensDemocrat · Michigan