Over the years, numerous studies and reports have highlighted significant disparities in healthcare access and outcomes among different racial, ethnic, and linguistic groups.
These disparities often stem from communication barriers, implicit biases, and systemic inequities within the healthcare system. For instance, non-English speaking patients frequently face challenges in understanding medical instructions, leading to poorer health outcomes compared to their English-speaking counterparts.
This is why the new Section 1557 Ruling is so important, and exciting!
Civil rights groups and advocacy organizations have long campaigned for more inclusive healthcare policies.
They have documented cases of discrimination and provided compelling evidence on the need for systemic changes. Today, this new amendment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Section 1557 is the result of their work. It prevents discrimination based on race, nationality, age, sex, or disability in any health program or activity receiving government funding. Which will significantly improve language access for non-English speaking patients. Let’s dive deeper into how.
Impact on Language Access
The goal of Section 1557 is to make sure everyone gets fair and inclusive care, regardless of their background. This broad protection means that healthcare should be accessible and equitable for everyone.
This amendment places a significant emphasis on language access, to help ensure that non-English speakers and individuals with disabilities receive the same quality of healthcare services as English-speaking, able-bodied patients.
It is breaking down barriers that have long hindered effective communication in healthcare settings by ensuring that hospitals and clinics have translation services available for those who are non-native speakers.
In Iowa, we are fortunate to have a state that is very inclusive of language access. Many government agencies are already proactive in providing interpreters for deaf individuals. However, while the deaf community benefits from a well-established national registry of interpreters, spoken language services are not as regulated and can be more difficult to find high quality translators for.
The new ruling aims to address these disparities by setting higher standards and requirements for language services in healthcare.
Boosting Quality through Human Oversight
One notable aspect of the Section 1557 amendment is its stance on AI translation.
The ruling acknowledges the potential of AI in translation, but emphasizes that human oversight is necessary to ensure quality. This means that AI-generated translations must be reviewed and approved by a human to meet the required standards.
This approach aims to reduce the number of poor-quality translations, which can lead to misunderstandings and potentially harmful consequences in healthcare. By requiring human oversight, the ruling ensures that translations are accurate and reliable, thereby improving communication between healthcare providers and patients.
There is a common concern that advancements in AI might lead to a decline in translation jobs. However, the new ruling suggests an adjustment to these roles instead. Translators might shift from being solely in-person communicators to becoming quality controllers who review and approve AI-generated translations. This shift could result in more accessible and affordable translation services.
As the cost and time required for translations decrease, more documents will be translated, and the demand for qualified translators will likely increase. This hybrid model of AI and human oversight could lead to a surge in the availability of translated materials and services!
The Role of Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)
The amendment also touches on the use of Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), particularly for the deaf community. It reaffirms the importance of VRI while maintaining the priority of onsite interpreting when possible.
While onsite interpreting is preferred, the high demand for interpreters sometimes makes it challenging to provide in-person services. In such cases, VRI serves as a valuable alternative, ensuring that deaf individuals still receive the necessary language support.
VRI allows interpreters to provide real-time language services remotely, bridging the gap when onsite interpreters are unavailable. This technology has proven invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic, where social distancing measures necessitated remote solutions. But, as stated in this new amendment, it is the second best option. On sight translators are always the preferred option.
Standardization and Certification
One of the most significant anticipated outcomes of the Section 1557 amendment is the push towards standardization and certification for spoken language interpreters.
Unlike ASL interpreters, who already have certification requirements, spoken language interpreters have not faced the same level of scrutiny. This ruling is expected to introduce more stringent requirements for certification and standardization.
These requirements might include obtaining a college degree and passing rigorous certification exams.
Such measures will ensure that interpreters possess the necessary skills and knowledge to provide high-quality services. As a result, the overall standard of interpreting in healthcare will improve, benefiting both providers and patients.
This Ruling Is Exciting!
As technology continues to advance, language access will become increasingly seamless.
Companies worried about job losses due to automation should consider the broader picture. While AI can handle routine tasks, human oversight remains crucial to ensure accuracy and quality. This complementary relationship between technology and human expertise will enhance language services, making them more efficient and accessible.
Moreover, technology can facilitate the training and certification processes for interpreters, providing online courses and virtual exams, which will broaden the pool of qualified interpreters, and inadvertently address interpreter shortages.
The new Section 1557 ruling marks a significant step towards full language access in healthcare. By preventing discrimination and setting higher standards for spoken language services, the amendment ensures that all individuals, regardless of their language proficiency, receive equitable and high-quality care.
As we embrace these changes, we should look forward to a future where language barriers are minimized, and everyone has the opportunity to communicate effectively so they can receive the care they need.
Full access is coming, are you ready for it?
At Hands Up Communications, we’re dedicated to ensuring that language barriers are a thing of the past. So whether you’re hosting a virtual meeting or an in-person event, remember: seamless communication is always within reach.
Ready to pre-book your interpreter? You can do so here!