Funding cuts, immigration crackdowns, an executive order declaring English the nation’s official language and a lack of clarification from HHS on medical interpretation requirements have left medical interpretation services in limbo, KFF Health News reported July 16.
Here is what to know:
1. Funding cuts have forced some clinics to reduce services and cut medical interpreters.
2. Trump’s executive order declaring English as the nation’s official language, and another one that reduces the requirement to provide language access for those who have little to no English proficiency, has caused confusion in medical facilities around what protections remain for patients. HHS has not yet clarified what, if anything, may change. Currently, the rules prohibit the use of unqualified staff, family members or children as acting interpreters during medical visits.
3. The use of AI in these situations is also up in the air. Currently, AI-generated translations of sensitive medical information must be reviewed by a qualified human interpreter, and some states are using Google Translate to automate translations on their websites.
4. Some states are requiring programs and services to provide equal access to people with limited or no English proficiency, but this is limited to local communities.
5. Advocates are concerned that these factors combined may leave some patients uncomfortable with requested interpreters and many facilities may go without interpreters entirely, the report said.
