With more than 25 million people in the United States being Limited English Proficient, many face language barriers when seeking healthcare options, a situation that U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) wants to improve.
“Language barriers should not keep Americans from accessing health care,” Rep. Kim said on Wednesday. “As someone whose second language is English and the representative of a diverse district with Americans of different backgrounds, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to express health care needs and know what resources are available.”
The lawmaker on Sept. 27 sponsored the bipartisan Health Communication Access and Resources for Everyone (Health CARE) Act, H.R. 5762, alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) to create a universal language access symbol as a consistent way to let patients know that language services are available at a facility providing health care, health insurance, or related service, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Kim’s staff.
While federally funded health and health insurance providers are required to make language services available, a consistent way to show these services are available does not exist, the summary says.
“I’m proud to lead the Health CARE Act to reduce language barriers and ensure Americans know what health care options are available to them, regardless of the language they speak,” said Rep. Kim. “I thank Rep. Meng for joining me in this bipartisan, common-sense effort to improve health care access in our communities and across the nation.”
The National Immigration Law Center, the LIBRE Initiative, the National Health Law Program, the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, and the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum endorsed H.R. 5762.
“Health care is a basic necessity for functioning societies, and in a place like the United States that is made up of different cultures, backgrounds, and languages, it is important that there are means of communication to reduce language barriers in health care settings,” said Rep. Meng. “I am proud to help champion the Health CARE Act alongside Rep. Young Kim. This is a common-sense solution that people from every district across the country will benefit from and I look forward to moving this bill along in the House.”
H.R. 5762 has been referred to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration.