Posted on 43,857 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?

43,857 thoughts on “Access to Healthcare for Immigrants”

  1. The website is looking bit flashy and it catches the visitors eyes. Design is pretty simple and a good user friendly interface. Alexistogel

    Reply

  3. Selamat Datang di Bandar Toto Macau Hari Ini Pasti di jamin jackpot dengan kesempatan menang hingga ratusan juta untuk deposit minimal 5 ribu saja rasakan kemenanganya sekarang alexistogel

    Reply

  4. 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. bandar togel

    Reply

  5. I really impressed after read this because of some quality work and informative thoughts . I just wanna say thanks for the writer and wish you all the best for coming!. bandar toto macau

    Reply

  7. RajajudiQQ adalah platform judi online terpercaya yang menawarkan berbagai permainan menarik seperti slot resmi, pokeronline, dan bandar QQ. rajajudiqq

    Reply

  8. بوابة الإجابات

    بوابة الإجابات، الموقع الأمثل للمساعدة في حلول واجابات اسئلة المناهج التعليمية والكتب الدراسية ويساعد الطلاب والمعلمين للعثور على إجابات سريعة وموثوقة لأسئلتهم.

    القي نظرة خفيفة على الموقع :
    https://ask.bejabat.com/

    #بوابة_الإجابات
    #بوابة_الإجابات
    #ask_bejabat

    Reply

  9. Great to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me. Well that article that i’ve been waited for so long. I need that article to complete my assignment in the college, and it has same topic with your article. Thanks, perfect share. Landscaping Melton

    Reply

  15. Hi there, simply changed into aware of your blog thru Google, and found that it is really informative. I am gonna be careful for brussels. I will be grateful when you proceed this in future. Numerous folks will probably be benefited from your writing. Cheers! 술탄카지노 도메인

    Reply

  16. 투데이토토는 안전하게 이용이 가능한 메이저 토토사이트와 안전 카지노사이트를 추천해 드리고 있습니다. 아무리 좋은 계약 조건을 제시하여도 정해놓은 먹튀검증의 기준을 통과하지 못하면 제휴를 맺지 않으며 유저와 업체 분들의 신뢰를 바탕으로 운영할 것을 약속드립니다. 또한 추천하고 있는 제휴업체들의 이벤트 진행 상황을 매일매일 업데이트해 드리고 있으니 안전과 혜택을 동시에 누려보시기 바랍니다.
    https://www.thefashionfrill.com

    Reply

  17. Wow what a Great Information about World Day its very nice informative post. thanks for the post. JUDI RTP

    Reply

  22. Following study a few of the articles on your website these types of few days, and that i really much like your style of blogging. I tag this to my personal save website checklist and will likely be checking back quickly. Pls check out my personal website too and tell me your thought. automatic door sensor

    Reply

  23. An impressive share, I simply with all this onto a colleague who was simply carrying out a little analysis for this. And that he in truth bought me breakfast since I ran across it for him.. smile. So i want to reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending some time to talk about this, I feel strongly concerning this and love reading regarding this topic. Whenever possible, as you become expertise, do you mind updating your blog post with an increase of details? It truly is highly a good choice for me. Big thumb up due to this post! automatic door motion sensor

    Reply

  25. You need to take part in a contest personally of the most effective blogs over the internet. I’m going to suggest this web site! Abonnement IPTV

    Reply

  29. yang bekerjasama dengan berbagai pihak bank resmi ternama di Indonesia dan E Wallet Jadi tunggu apa lagi? kalong777

    Reply

  31. bagi para fans yang mempunyai kendala dalam bertaruh seperti lagi bertaruh keluar mendadak dan masih banyak lainnya kalong138

    Reply

  36. Mulai dari remaja hingga orang tua mereka bermain Taruhan Slot Online Oleh karena itu sebagai salah satu website terpercaya, naga88cuan

    Reply

  44. yang pasti bisa Anda dapatkan Bonus setiap hari, sangat penting bagi para pemain slot online mawatoto

    Reply

  48. Proses transaksi cepat di Situs Slot online memiliki tim pemrosesan transaksi deposit dan penarikan yang berpengalaman vip228

    Reply

  50. Hanya membutuhkan waktu kurang dari 1 menit untuk deposit dan penarikan Anda selesai proses, armadajitu

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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