Posted on 52,938 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?

52,938 thoughts on “Access to Healthcare for Immigrants”

  1. Gizbo invites you into a realm where luxury meets exhilaration. Boasting a vibrant atmosphere, it offers a captivating blend of timeless games and cutting-edge innovations, ensuring a unique experience for every visitor.

    Reply

  2. This is exactly equally an excellent content i quite really liked checking. This isn’t all the time which i possess potential to work out an issue. Loto188

    Reply

  5. Wow! This could be one of the most useful blogs we have ever come across on thesubject. Actually excellent info! I’m also an expert in this topic so I can understand your effort. acim online

    Reply

  8. Hi! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with us so I came to take a look. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Terrific blog and fantastic style and design. https://aloto188.net

    Reply

  9. Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your web site in internet explorer, would check this… IE still is the market leader and a big portion of people will miss your magnificent writing because of this problem. Vatican Museum Tickets

    Reply

  10. You are a very persuasive writer. I can see this in your article. You have a way of writing compelling information that sparks much interest. olb228

    Reply

  12. The author has outdone themselves with this article. It’s well-researched, well-written, and truly captivating. Hats off to the team for this excellent piece
    mahajitu

    Reply

  13. I’m in awe of the author’s ability to present complex ideas so elegantly. This article is a testament to the power of good writing
    prabujitu

    Reply

  15. The writer’s ability to distill complex concepts into engaging prose is commendable. This article was a joy to read!
    pasang123

    Reply

  16. I’m genuinely impressed by the depth of research and the nuanced perspectives presented in this article. Well done!
    kudajitu

    Reply

  18. https://may88.mba/ May88 là nhà cái uy tín, cung cấp đa dạng dịch vụ cá cược trực tuyến như thể thao, game bài, nạp/rút nhanh chóng và an toàn.

    Reply

  20. The clarity and precision of this article are remarkable. It’s clear that the author is not only knowledgeable but also passionate about the topic
    gilajitu

    Reply

  22. I just couldn’t depart your site prior to suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard information an individual provide for your visitors? Is gonna be back frequently in order to inspect new posts olb228

    Reply

  25. Good job on this article! I really like how you presented your facts and how you made it interesting and easy to understand. Thank you. atomic wallet

    Reply

  27. Possessing read this I thought it had been quite beneficial. I value you taking time and work to put this article together. I when once again locate myself paying method to significantly time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was nonetheless worth it! Vatican Museum Tickets

    Reply

  28. “It’s always good to learn tips like you share for blog posting. As I just started posting comments for blog and facing problem of lots of rejections. I think your suggestion would be helpful for me. I will let you know if its work for me too.” 먹튀검증된 사이트

    Reply

  41. HB88 là nhà cái uy tín, cung cấp đa dạng dịch vụ cá cược thể thao, game bài trực tuyến và trò chơi hấp dẫn, hỗ trợ người chơi 24/7.

    Reply

  42. Access to healthcare for immigrants is crucial for their well being and integration. Just as the Kurt Russel Christmas Chronicles Costume brings joy and connects people during the holiday season equitable healthcare access can foster community and support diversity ensuring that all individuals regardless of origin, can thrive in society.

    Reply

  43. Merhaba tatlım benimle Diyarbakır Escort katılarak fantezilerimin anını yakalamaya hazırsan. Duygularımızı beraber paylaşabiliriz. Sizlere göstereceğim mutluluğun Diyarbakır Escort Bayan da gerçekleşeceğini unutmayın. Telefon numaramdan dilediğinde arayabilirsiniz. Diyarbakır Escort

    Reply

  44. In the pursuit of sustainable practices, the food service industry is embracing biodegradable products like disposable cornstarch forks. These eco-friendly utensils offer a perfect balance of functionality and environmental responsibility, making them a top choice for businesses looking to reduce their ecological footprint. cornstarch fork

    Reply

  47. JNT77 The fastest deposit and withdrawal transactions with a team that is ready to serve your transactions 24 hours nonstop

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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