Posted on 46,502 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?

46,502 thoughts on “Access to Healthcare for Immigrants”

  9. 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! acim

    Reply

  10. What a delightful piece! It truly resonated with me, especially since I recently found the perfect pre-celebration gift idea here. A friend recommended booking a session at SEVlaser for a pre-marriage treat. The recipient was over the moon! I’ve noticed many here have shared similar joyous experiences. It’s heartwarming to see how much happiness a simple gesture can bring. Highly recommend checking out Laser Hair Removal in Houston as a thoughtful gift for any big occasion!

    Reply

  12. This is the correct weblog for everyone who is would like to learn about this topic. You are aware of much its almost challenging to argue along with you (not that I personally would want…HaHa). You certainly put a different spin on a topic thats been revealed for several years. Fantastic stuff, just great! acim

    Reply

  14. As I website possessor I believe the content material here is rattling wonderful , appreciate it for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Best of luck. acim

    Reply

  15. Great blog on the challenges immigrants face in accessing healthcare! It’s crucial to address these issues to ensure everyone can get the care they need, especially when dealing with language barriers and insurance limitations. For those new to the area, understanding how these factors affect healthcare can be as important as knowing local services like septic tank inspections. If you’re looking to get your septic system checked, don’t hesitate to visit our site for more info on septic tank inspection cost. Thanks for highlighting such an important topic!

    Reply

  16. You made some good points there. I did a search on the subject and found most individuals will go along with with your website. acim

    Reply

  17. Wow! This could be one particular of the most useful blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Great. I’m also an expert in this topic so I can understand your effort. acim

    Reply

  23. Judi Slot Online terbesar di Indonesia yang menawarkan pengalaman bermain game yang tak tertandingi. Dengan berbagai macam permainan slot gacor hari ini yang tersedia, antarmuka pengguna yang ramah dan navigasi tanpa hambatan, serta langkah-langkah keamanan dan keamanan tingkat tinggi, menjadi pilihan utama bagi para pecinta judi online.

    Reply

  24. Hello there, I discovered your site by way of Google whilst searching for a related topic, your website came up, it seems to be good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks. satta king

    Reply

  25. يمتلك الموقع قائمة شاملة من المواقع الربحية التي يمكنك الاعتماد عليها لتحقيق دخل إضافي مواقع ربحية. يتضمن ذلك مواقع الاستطلاعات المدفوعة، ومواقع العمل الحر، ومواقع بيع المنتجات الرقمية. يتم تحديث هذه القائمة بانتظام لضمان تقديم أحدث المعلومات والفرص المتاحة.

    Reply

  39. Join our blog community, where insightful articles and engaging discussions bring everyone closer together! Connect with like-minded individuals, share your thoughts, and stay updated on the latest trends and topics. Let’s grow and learn together!
    24kbet

    Reply

  40. Welcome to the world of online lottery which is full of excitement! GreenBet88 is the official and trusted toto lottery site in In Indonesia
    GreenBet88

    Reply

  45. With advanced features, attractive bonuses and 24/7 service, PupuSlot is ready to help you win big.
    PupuSlot

    Reply

  47. We offer the convenience of betting on 4D lottery, toto lottery and other online lottery games
    GoGol

    Reply

  49. Racik189 is the official lottery site and the leading online lottery bookie in Indonesia

    Reply

  50. Thank you for cultivating such a welcoming and enlightening environment. Your unwavering dedication and generosity in sharing knowledge truly make this community stand out. The warmth and inclusivity here are evident, and it’s inspiring to witness so many individuals coming together to help one another grow and thrive. – ggwinner create account

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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