Posted on 9/18/2006, 8:42:33 PM by april15Bendovr
Edited on 9/18/2006, 8:47:42 PM by Admin Moderator. [history]
Doctors Soaked by Translator Costs Tuesday , September 14, 2004 LOS ANGELES — The Bush administration is threatening to yank federal money from physicians, hospitals and clinics that don't comply with a policy put in place in the prior administration that aims to help immigrants gain access to medical care. Four years ago, President Clinton signed the executive order requiring doctors who treat Medicare (search) and Medicaid (search) patients to hire translators for those who don't speak English. "The problem here is that we're required by a presidential order, without funding, to have translation in every single language requested by the patient. So this could be up to 500 languages," said Dr. Clifford Colwell, who is fighting back with thousands of other doctors who are suing the federal government, claiming the rule is unconstitutional. While the doctors agree that each professional worth his or her salt must be able to communicate with patients, they insist the cost of the requirement will leave many patients without care. But Dr. Jane Delgado of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (search) argues that hiring translators doesn't add much to the cost of health care, and may actually save money in the long run. A spokesman at the Department of Health and Human Services said the agency is not looking for around-the-clock translators in every language, just someone to be available. Many who have not complied are now under investigation.
I dont know how that ad showed up
a policy put in place in the prior administration that aims to help immigrants gain access to medical care
Just nuts. They can go back to their own countries if they want medical services in their own language, or maybe they should learn English.
"If you need assistance in English, please come to the admitting desk"
I'm with the Doctors on this one.
It is wrong to require doctors or hospitals to hire translators.
Eliminating Federal funding for just about anything but the military is a good thing.
the doc's are not hiring the translators,most if not all health planes ahve contracts for translation services,just have to be asked for. I call BS on this one.
Maybe Mexico can send over their own translators or better yet take care of their own citizens.
For our citizens we can teach them to speak English
Does anyone still speak English in Marlborough, or is it only Portuguese?
There would be no conflict if theree were no stupid Clinton-era policy
Careful poking that bear, doc. If you get the wrong judge he might just rule that the whole Medicare and Medicaid systems are unconstitutional.
Aww, who am I kidding. Even if that dream ruling did occur, it's still under the 9th Circus so it would never stand.
ping
President Bush could fix this by signing another Executive Order. His continuing failure to do so speaks volumes.
Not only is he not fixing it, he's pushing enforcement. Bummer.
Besides, the person needing the service can darn well find their own translater.
susie
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