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?

46,964 thoughts on “Access to Healthcare for Immigrants

  1. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. That is an extremely well written article.
    I will make sure to bookmark it and return to learn extra
    of your helpful information. Thank you for the
    post. I will definitely comeback.

    https://w4.datawarnahk6d.co/

    Reply

  2. After my spouse and i gotten on your site though receiving concern generally to some degree bit submits. Satisfying technique for future, We are book-marking as well purchase varieties stop soars in excess. COGNISTRONG

    Reply

  3. That is really attention-grabbing, You’re an overly professional blogger.
    I’ve joined your rss feed and stay up for in search of
    extra of your wonderful post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks

    my blog post … source

    Reply

  4. That appears to be clearly amazing. Most teeny specifics are using great deal of reputation encounter. So i am attached to the idea a good deal. มังงะ

    Reply

  5. You really should indulge in a contest for just one of the finest blogs on the internet. I am going to suggest this website! gk8

    Reply

  6. I can’t imagine focusing long enough to research; much less write this kind of article You’ve outdone yoursel.
    Porndux

    Reply

  7. I was surfing the Internet for information and came across your blog. I am impressed by the information you have on this blog. It shows how well you understand this subject. 카지노사이트

    Reply

  8. These types of feels 100 % most effective. These minimal information and facts will be built coupled with numerous track record information and facts. I favor this significantly. plataforma nova

    Reply

  9. JNT77 All problems you experience are resolved very quickly and effectively with Online Slot Betting

    Reply

  10. Yes i am totally agreed with this article and i just want say that this article is very nice and very informative article.I will make sure to be reading your blog more. You made a good point but I can’t help but wonder, what about the other side? !!!!!!Thanks

    Reply

  11. Now i’m enthusiastic any placed. It is actually great to see a lot of people verbalize from the character not forgetting capacity about in which essential matter location are often perfectly identified. มังงะวาย

    Reply

  12. SultanSlot365 is a trusted online slot game site that provides various online slot games, sportsbooks. The real money ball game that we provide is very popular among online slot games. https://sultanslotmania.com/

    Reply

  13. This can be in addition a great article i genuinely liked looking at. It’s not at all every day i contain the probability to view a thing. Tonic Greens

    Reply

  14. By Click Downloader ile youtube viedo indir (donanimgunlugu.com)’un yanı sıra Facebook, Soundcloud, Instagram, Vimeo ve diğer birçok platformdan video indirebilirsiniz.

    Reply

  15. WSO55 adalah situs judi slot online terbaik yang telah dipercaya selama 10 tahun sebagai link slot gacor terpercaya di Indonesia. Jika Anda sedang mencari situs slot resmi yang nyaman dan aman, WSO55 adalah pilihan tepat.

    Reply

  16. Raden138 adalah rekomendasi slot gacor terpercaya dijamin 100% aman dan fair play. RADEN138 sebetulnya tidak hanya menyajikan permainan slot online. Akan tetapi kami memiliki banyak variasi game lain seperti sport, togel, tembak ikan dan live games. Dari banyak pilihan game yang kami tawarkan, slot online adalah pilihan yang paling keren, top, populer dan paling banyak diminati dibanding game lainnya.

    Reply

  17. I enjoy every single posts, I actually appreciated, I would personally adore extra information and facts because of this, mainly because its fairly pleasing., Have fun here ideal for allowing. มังงะวาย

    Reply

  18. I prefer the submit. It really is excellent to find out an individual verbalize from your coronary heart and also quality with this crucial subject matter may be effortlessly witnessed. Tonic Greens

    Reply

  19. I enjoy kinds very own post. It’ll be respectable to get a single describe inside terms from the central and also chastity on this distinct essential specialized niche will probably be commonly knowledgeable. Tonic Greens

    Reply

  20. The term Anna book could refer to various works, especially in South Indian literature, where “Anna” signifies an elder brother or respected figure. It may explore themes of family, tradition, and relationships. In some cases, it could be a title or a character-driven story in regional languages like Telugu or Tamil.

    Reply

  21. Turbo88 Become one of the websites that has an official license and certificate that is internationally recognized

    Reply

  22. You make so many great points here that I read your article a couple of times. Your views are in accordance with my own for the most part. This is great content for your readers.

    Reply

  23. Their particular obtained onto your website despite the fact negotiating reputation merely several tid tad submits. Rewarding strategy for forth-coming, I am bookmarking prior to starting grab goods bottom line spgs entirely upwards. go88

    Reply

  24. I’m not sure exactly why but this website is loading extremely slow for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists. instagram stats summary

    Reply

  25. Quickly this particular site may undoubtedly gain popularity in between just about all running a blog as well as site-building people, because of its painstaking articles or maybe evaluations. go88

    Reply

  26. His or her received on your web site even though eliminating identification simply just a number of tid touch submits. Pleasing technique for approaching, We are book-marking before commencing pick-up solutions finish spgs all the way up way up. plataforma nova

    Reply

  27. The style make an effort to delightful. All of them significant knowledge really are designed choosing massive amount historical past feel. I would like the whole thing notably.xổ số vn88

    Reply

  28. If you ask me, in excess of a couple working together to empty desired goals, often have unlimited electric power. Femipro

    Reply

  29. This amazing is very much unquestionably great. All these smaller fact is manufactured working with number with credentials know-how. I actually enjoy the reasoning the best value. rhino gold gel para que sirve

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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