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Language Access


ARTICLES

Hospital Care in New York
Enforceability of the Right to Meaningful Language Access
Hospitals in New York State are required to provide language assistance to consumers with limited English proficiency (LEP). LEP individuals are unable to communicate effectively in English because their primary language is not English and they have not developed fluency in the English language. This article provides an overview and analysis of the applicable federal and state law and complaint processes challenging violations of the right to meaningful language access available to LEP persons receiving services in New York hospitals. Read More

SSA Responds to Language Access Issues in NYC
Over the past few years, Manhattan Legal Services had heard consistent reports from clients regarding a lack of access to Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits and services for Limited English Proficient (“LEP”) clients. Read More

Medicaid Reimbursement for Language Access Services
On July 1, 2010, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a guidance letter explaining the increased matching funds for translation and interpretation services under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as provided in the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA). Read More


Language Access: Articles


IN THE NEWS

SafeRx legislation passes as part of state budget
The final state budget passed last week included approval of SafeRx legislation designed to make prescription drug labels easier to understand for people with limited English, people with disabilities and seniors. Read More



POLICY ADVOCACY

Empire Justice Center Testimony at the Economic Security Cabinet Town Hall Meeting
Comments on three areas we’d like to see the Economic Security Cabinet focus on: improving access to benefits, dealing with the impact of rising energy costs on low income households, and language access for people with limited English proficiency. Read More



PUBLICATIONS

Tool Kit for Community Health Centers- Helping Patients Access Medicaid
This tool kit provides fact sheets and forms on ten different topics related to helping patients access Medicaid coverage or other help with paying for health care services. Read More

 


NEWSLETTERS

Legal Services Journal - Fall 2011
The Fall 2011 Legal Services Journal reports on a wide range of poverty law topics. This issue provides analysis addressing the connection between domestic violence and a victim's increased need, not only for physical protection, but also for privacy safeguards. Also featured in this issue are articles on immigration, language access in hospital care, Medicaid, Food Stamps, foreclosure prevention services program and look at wage theft and the impact on communities and forging a path to wage justice. Thanks to all of our authors for their contributions to this issues of the Legal Services Journal. Read More

Legal Services Journal - Summer 2010 Issue
The Summer 2010 issue of the Legal Services Journal reports on a wide range of poverty law topics. Additionally, this issue has a special focus on Health Law. Thanks to all our authors. Read More



TRAINING AND EVENTS

Introduction to Language Access Rights
Language Access for Limited English Proficient (LEP) is a half day training for advocates and attorneys that work with LEP communities. Participants will be given an overview of the state and federal protections for LEP individuals. Read More



RESOURCES

The Language Access Resource Center
The Language Access Resource Center (LARC) provides information and resources about the rights of Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals. It describe the federal and New York State laws prohibiting discrimination against LEP individuals and the obligations of recipients of federal funding to ensure meaningful access. Each LEP topic includes studies, reports, and documents describing state and federal agency obligations to provide language assistance services to LEP individuals. Read More