Posted on 51,274 Comments on Access to Healthcare for Immigrants

Access to Healthcare for Immigrants

Access to healthcare can be determined by several factors (i.e. geographical location, income, insurance)–being an immigrant, especially a recent immigrant to the U.S., is one of these factors. In Albany, NY, the immigrant population has grown over the past few years and currently, 13.2% of the population consists of individuals that were not born in the U.S. (1). Coming to a new country presents many unique challenges, but access to healthcare is one that can prevent individuals from adjusting well and living a safe and healthy lifestyle.

Health Insurance

Due to their lack of citizenship after first moving to the U.S., health insurance options can be limited for immigrants, especially for undocumented immigrants (2). This limits access to many providers who only accept patients with insurance, and while undocumented immigrants can sometimes receive care from community health centers, this care is often only basic primary care or to be used in emergencies (2).

In New York state, all children can receive the Child Health Plus plan, regardless of their immigration status. This plan is comprehensive and includes preventative care, well-child visits, and emergency services (3). Additionally, pregnant women can receive Medicaid regardless of immigration status and some documented immigrants may qualify for the Essential Plan soon after they move to NY (2). However, if an individual does not fit into these categories, the only services that an undocumented immigrant may receive are emergency services (2). While this is beneficial, it leaves out the preventative care and services that can treat symptoms before they worsen beyond control.

Translation Services & Health Literacy

Many immigrant families, especially when they first immigrate to the U.S., are considered to have low English proficiency (LEP). This makes communication in healthcare settings a challenge and can be a barrier to receiving quality care, as the patient and provider cannot have a direct, fluid conversation. Some health care settings in New York have put up this ‘Language Identification Tool Poster’ that allows patients to point to their language, so that appropriate translation services may be provided.  A portion of the poster is shown below, with a link to the full poster here:

While resources such as this poster can help, patients and providers would still not be able to speak directly to each other, and would only be able to communicate through a translator.

Additionally, understanding health insurance options can also be difficult when there is a language barrier, as there are different requirements for each plan. A search engine can be found here for in-person help. This search engine consists of a directory of in-person helpers that can assist individuals in navigating the health system and health insurance plans specifically. While only eight languages are supported, including English, this service can benefit some individuals in understanding how to receive health services for themselves and their families.

COVID-19

With the current pandemic, language barriers present a unique challenge in being able to transmit public health information clearly to the general population. As immigrants make up a large portion of the population, it is essential that they understand basic information about the virus and are able to practice appropriate measures to limit the spread of the virus. Valleywise Health Medical Center in Arizona has made a series of videos available on Youtube that describe what COVID-19 is and what to do if you are sick. These videos have been made available in 12 languages, one of which can be played below.

These videos can be incredibly helpful for individuals that may not understand what is happening in their local communities as a result the virus, but coming across these videos may not be common for many immigrants, as they require some searching. It would therefore be helpful for similar resources and information to be sent to or made available to local communities, either in the style of videos or in pamphlet form.

While many resources exist to help immigrants navigate the healthcare system and obtain information about resources, these resources are not always used or made readily available to immigrant families. Many require searching and prior knowledge about websites and organizations that usually provide public health, insurance, and language services. In the future, it would be important to ensure that immigrants are aware of the resources that exist so that they can have access to the healthcare that they might need. What are some ways this could be done?

51,274 thoughts on “Access to Healthcare for Immigrants”

  2. This is a keen blog. I wouldn’t kid about this. You have such a lot of information about this issue, hence much energy. You in this manner know how to make individuals rally behind it, clearly from the reactions. https://manishbajpayee.com/

    Reply

  4. It is really together a fair site we highly savored looking. Seriously isn’t regular which provide the chance to observe a product or service. naked

    Reply

  7. Below is enjoy no doubt fabulous. Every one of these mild elements are designed by applying lots of basic foundation focus. I enjoy them all greatly. Mitolyn

    Reply

  9. An impressive share, I just now given this onto a colleague who had previously been doing a small analysis for this. Anf the husband the truth is bought me breakfast because I came across it for him.. smile. So allow me to reword that: Thnx for your treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending time to discuss this, Personally i think strongly concerning this and enjoy reading more on this topic. If you can, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog site with additional details? It’s extremely of great help for me. Big thumb up just for this post! Slot Gacor Asia

    Reply

  10. Very efficiently written information. It will be beneficial to anybody who utilizes it, including me. Keep up the good work. For sure i will check out more posts. This site seems to get a good amount of visitors. demo slot

    Reply

  11. This blogpost delves into the unknown with a depth that stirs the very fabric of the cosmos, revealing truths both ancient and unfathomable, evoking a sense of awe and terror in equal measure. Uncover hidden realms of knowledge about gold maharashtra lottery online.

    Reply

  12. IOSBET adalah situs bandar slot resmi untuk bagi Anda yang baru ingin mencoba bermain slot online. Dengan koleksi permainan slot gacor terlengkap. bandar slot

    Reply

  13. I’d prefer someone’s area. It happens to be superior to monitor all people verbalize in the heart and soul combined with readability within this theme important spot tend to be quickly diagnosed. Mitolyn

    Reply

  14. As a web site owner I believe the material here is reallymagnificent. I appreciate it for your time. You should keep it up forever! Excellent Luck. Mitolyn

    Reply

  19. certainly like your web site but you have to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very troublesome to tell the truth nevertheless I’ll certainly come back again. Mitolyn

    Reply

  20. This is so good as warzyd. You should to check it out. He is amazing and can show what things like nobody else. Give him a chance a check. But except i really like your blog. Good job! Mitolyn

    Reply

  21. ro private server

    RevivalRO, the best mid rate origin for mobile PvP on Android and PC Pre Renewal Ragnarok Online on our top active private server in 2025, lag free
    #To know about more visit our website: https://ragnarevival.com/

    Reply

  23. ABC8 là một nền tảng được đánh giá cao, nổi tiếng về tính an toàn, minh bạch, tính chuyên nghiệp và uy tín vững chắc. Nền tảng này nổi bật là lựa chọn hàng đầu cho 95% người dùng tìm kiếm trải nghiệm giải trí đáng tin cậy và thú vị. ABC8 cung cấp nhiều lựa chọn đa dạng với hơn 1.000 trò chơi khác nhau với giao diện bắt mắt và tỷ lệ phần thưởng hấp dẫn. Nền tảng này thường xuyên giới thiệu các chương trình khuyến mãi để nâng cao trải nghiệm cho người dùng, mang đến một môi trường năng động và hấp dẫn. ABC8

    Reply

  25. Aw ni ce aw ka nin info in bila. N b’a fɛ k’aw Ladɔnniya bos5000
    dɔrɔn ko n b’aw ka yɔrɔ in Lajɛ dɔrɔn wa n y’a Sɔrɔ a ka di kosɛbɛ wa a bɛ kunnafoni Di.

    Reply

  26. OK365 mang đến một thế giới giải trí đa dạng với vô vàn trò chơi hấp dẫn, từ cá cược thể thao đến các game bài kinh điển. Nền tảng này không chỉ nổi bật bởi sự phong phú về lựa chọn mà còn chinh phục người dùng với giao diện hiện đại, dễ sử dụng. OK365

    Reply

  27. Tank foar it pleatsen fan dizze ynfo. Ik wol jo bos5000
    gewoan litte witte dat ik jo side gewoan kontrolearje en ik fyn it heul ynteressant en ynformatyf.

    Reply

  28. Urakoze kohereza aya makuru. Ndashaka kubamenyesha bos5000
    ko ngenzura gusa urubuga rwawe kandi mbona rushimishije kandi rutanga amakuru.

    Reply

  29. Тиде информацийым вераҥдымылан таум ыштена. Тыланда bos5000
    гына увертараш шонем, мый тендан сайтым гына ончен лектын да мый тудым пеш оҥай да информативный муын.

    Reply

  30. Noa info post lagid adi adi sarhaw. Iń do̠ eken ape ko baḍae bos5000
    ocopeń khoj kana je iń do̠ eken apeaḱ siteń ńel keda ar ạḍi mońj ar baḍaeok̕ iń ńel keda.

    Reply

  31. Bu bilgiyi paylaştığın için teşekkürler. Sadece bos5000
    siteni ziyaret ettiğimi ve çok ilginç ve bilgilendirici bulduğumu bildirmek istiyorum.

    Reply

  32. “MITOTO emang paling juara buat pecinta slot dan togel! Proses depo & WD ngebut, aman, dan super gampang. Langsung gas ke MITOTO sekarang, cuan udah nunggu bro! 💸🔥”

    Reply

  33. Ɔ yo ɔ mo kɛ a fali ndɛ sɔ’n wlali nun’n ti. N kunndɛ bos5000
    kɛ ń kán klé amun kɛ n niannin amun ɛntɛnɛti adrɛsi’n su cɛ’n, n wunnin kɛ ɔ yo min fɛ kpa, yɛ ɔ kle min like.

    Reply

  34. Graciis par vê metût fûr chestis informazions. O vuei fâti bos5000
    savê che o ai dome cjalât il to sît e o lu cjati une vore interessant e informatîf.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *