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Ting Fighting to Improve Healthcare for Limited English Speaking Patients

For immediate release:

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – The Assembly Committee on Business, Professions and Consumer Protection passed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, that will help California provide healthcare to millions of Californians with limited English language skills.

“We need medical professionals who can speak the languages of our communities,” said Ting.  “Patients cannot access healthcare if they cannot communicate with their care providers.  This bill gives us the tools we need to identify and resolve communication problems to ensure greater healthcare access for all Californians.”

Currently, California collects demographic data only about doctors and dentists, leaving a huge gap in what we know about our healthcare infrastructure.  Sponsored by the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, Ting’s Assembly Bill (AB) 2102 requires the state to collect demographic information – specifically ethnicity, gender, location, and language skills data – for nurses, physician assistants, respiratory care providers, and psychiatric technicians in order to help California assess the medical industry’s capacity to provide healthcare in the most culturally appropriate manner.

“Through Obamacare, more Californians are getting health insurance,” said Ting.  “California must continue to lead in healthcare reform by ensuring that patients can communicate with all of their care providers.”

More than 40 percent of Californians speak a language other than English at home and almost 7 million Californians speak English less than very well.  California needs its healthcare workforce to communicate with patients in the most culturally appropriate manner.  Failure to do so can lead to dire, even tragic consequences.  Limited English proficient patients are at far greater risk of being misdiagnosed and improperly treated for their ailments.  Lack of language access in healthcare increases the use of more expensive emergency services, higher diagnostic and testing costs, and increased liability for providers.

Among a long and diverse list of supporters, AB 2102 is backed by Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles, Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council, and Chinese Progressive Action.  The legislation passed with a 10-4 vote today and moves to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further review.  Further information is available at www.leginfo.ca.gov.

Contact: Anthony Matthews (Ting), tel. (916) 319-2019, anthony.matthews@asm.ca.gov