Localization Services and Health Care Benefit Access
Language barriers could deter more than 100,000 Californians from enrolling in the state’s Health Benefit Exchange Program, according to a recent study conducted by the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, and the UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education. The study projects that are in California more than one million adults with limited-English proficient (LEP) will be eligible to receive tax credits to allow them to purchase affordable coverage; however, only 42 % of eligible LEP adults are expected to enroll in the program. Localization services can help reach these individuals.
In California, more than 15 million residents speak a language other than English at home, and nearly half of them have limited proficiency in English. These statistics indicate the importance of adopting a strategy to improve community outreach and education. Of the population eligible for tax credits, 48 % are Latinos, 2 % are Native Americans, 4 % are African Americans, 32% are Caucasians and 14% are Asian American and Pacific Islanders. Although the issue is one of education for many populations, in many cases the language barrier is a major contributing factor.
The Health Benefit Exchange Program will help to lower the cost of health insurance for all Californians, and will be particularly helpful for working families that are in need of greater resources. However, in order for all state residents to benefit from such a program, they must enroll. Special measures must be taken to reach out to California’s linguistically and culturally diverse populations in order to ensure their participation in the program, including providing materials and media in their own native language(s). The success in implementing this program will therefore depend not only on the number of people enrolled, but also on the state’s ability to reach those individuals who might benefit but may not have the language skills to participate.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.
Language Connections LLC
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com