Newspapers Look at Federal, State Efforts To Reduce Language Barriers

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel on July 7 examined federal guidelines that require hospitals, pharmacies and many doctors to provide free interpretation services for patients who cannot speak English. The U.S. Department of Justice two weeks ago issued a policy guidance document on the guidelines, which apply to hospitals, pharmacies and providers and stem from an executive order issued in August 2000 by former President Clinton. The order states a 1964 law banning discrimination on the basis of national origin also applies to people with "limited English proficiency" (LaMendola, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 7/7). The order requires federal agencies to examine the services they provide, identify any need for services to people with limited English language skills and devise and implement a system to provide language services. The policy guidance document aims to help agencies with that requirement (Justice Department Policy Guidance Document on Executive Order 13166). According to Clinton's order, doctors, hospitals and pharmacies that accept federal funds (e.g. Medicaid and Medicare) are required to offer interpretation services through a staff interpreter, a trained bilingual employee, private contractors, community volunteers or translation phone services. The guidelines do not permit family members or untrained bilingual medical staff to provide interpretation services unless patients waive their right to other resources. The regulations will increase the average cost of a medical visit by 0.5%, according to the White House Office of Management and Budget; however, many doctors believe the economic impact on their practices will be much greater. In South Florida, private interpretation services cost $50 to $75 per hour and will make treating Medicaid beneficiaries, who often do not speak English, even less economically desirable (LaMendola, South Florida, Sun-Sentinel, 7/7). The Justice Department policy guidance document is available online.

Speaking Spanish in North Carolina
In related news, the Raleigh News & Observer on July 8 reports on a language course offered at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill that will "help health care providers communicate better with their Spanish-speaking patients." The course, which is called "A su salud!" -- or "To your health!" -- and is supported by a $470,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education, will be available to medical, dental, nursing, pharmacy, public health and social work students who have an "intermediate" knowledge of Spanish. The course contains an 80-minute video that focuses on providing Spanish language health services in the South (Bowles, Raleigh News & Observer, 7/8).