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?

51,948 thoughts on “Access to Healthcare for Immigrants

  1. This sort of looks like without a doubt wonderful. A lot of these microscopic truth is built utilising combination in qualifying criteria know-how. As i support the objective a whole lot. agen toto play

    Reply

  2. The application comes across as being thoroughly acceptable. Each one of slighter points was manufactured because of a number of listing degree. I adore the required forms ample amounts. Red88

    Reply

  3. This will be aside from that an amazing guide as i seriously wanted examining. You’ll find it not day after day as i retain the scope to determine a product. typhu88

    Reply

  4. Furthermore this is aside from that an awesome put up that we all unquestionably preferred perusing. It is far from normal i enjoy the odds to work out a product. Red88

    Reply

  5. As soon as we obtained on your web site despite the fact that obtaining thing to consider essentially fairly little bit submits. Enjoyable technique for forthcoming, I’m book-marking simultaneously obtain types finish increases up-wards. agen toto play

    Reply

  6. I’m any regarding a lot of the content, My partner and i totally savored, I might actually favor a lot more info relating to this kind of, considering that it really is great., Congrats designed for submitting. https://typhu887.com

    Reply

  7. When you are connecting with our agency, you are going to get the best escort service in Connaught Place . Dear gentleman, we are so excited to have you at our Connaught Place Escorts Service. You are at the best escort agency. Connaught Place Escorts Services are always in huge demand. You may find a number of Connaught Place Escorts service agencies around the city. Every moment spent with our Connaught Place call girl is going to be your favorite one. You will have celebrations every moment with our escort services at Connaught Place. Connaught Place Escorts Services Enjoy luxury and class today. Plus, these service­s can be a way to discover the city’s rich traditions and history from a local’s vie­w. Connaught Place Escorts. Escorts will be a good option for that. You’re in the­ right place.

    Connaught Place Escorts

    Reply

  8. lancarwd Salah satu daya tarik utama adalah berbagai macam promo menarik yang terus dihadirkan untuk memberikan pengalaman bermain yang lebih menguntungkan bagi para pemain

    Reply

  9. To be honestly, reading your articles is really great fun. It makes learn a lot. I genuinely hope there are a lot more posts like this one your blog; we need to post the artists out there. 카지노사이트

    Reply

  10. 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. botak empire

    Reply

  11. This is a excellent blog, would you be involved in doing an interview about just how you designed it? If so e-mail me! botakempire

    Reply

  12. Hi there are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you require any html coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated! https://vnloto6.com

    Reply

  13. I have to convey my respect for your kindness for all those that require guidance on this one field. Your special commitment to passing the solution up and down has been incredibly functional and has continually empowered most people just like me to achieve their dreams. Your amazing insightful information entails much to me and especially to my peers. Thanks a ton; from all of us. botak empire

    Reply

  14. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast. pg88i.com

    Reply

  15. This is certainly as well a really good posting we seriously experienced looking through. It is far from on a daily basis we have risk to check out a little something. loto188

    Reply

  16. Shalamar Hospital offers tailored osteoporosis treatment to improve bone health, prevent fractures, and enhance quality of life, with a dedicated team focused on patient education and support.

    Reply

  17. I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post.

    Reply

  18. Whilst we obtained in your internet record nevertheless including attention just a little contact submits. Good way of possible, We’re book-marking throughout a time period discover variations determine spgs method upward. Gluco6

    Reply

  19. The appearance efficiently excellent. Every one of these miniscule information and facts will be designed working with wide range of track record practical experience. I like it a lot. FITSPRESSO

    Reply

  20. I am interested in types write-up. It really is good for uncover individuals explain in words about the heart along with knowing in this substantial style is generally merely found. Gluco6

    Reply

  21. With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright infringement?
    My blog has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either
    created myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping
    it up all over the web without my agreement. Do you know any ways to help protect against content
    from being ripped off? I’d certainly appreciate it.

    Look at my webpage … ทางเข้าเล่นราชา99

    Reply

  22. Excellent weblog here! Additionally your site
    quite a bit up very fast! What web host are you the usage of?
    Can I am getting your associate hyperlink in your host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

    Also visit my webpage; http://naik55rtp.site

    Reply

  23. Grateful to you again for all of the data you distribute,Good post. I was unimaginably enthused about the article, it’s astoundingly moving I should surrender. I like visiting you site since I all that considered around go over beguiling articles like this one.Great Work, I for the most part respect that.Do Keep on sharing! Regards, dmt vape cartridge

    Reply

  24. 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. Nhà cái 123B

    Reply

  25. This method is without a doubt aesthetically certainly appropriate choice. Every one in concerns most important ones can be created by a lot of historical techniques. I can recommend animoto quite a bit. vuabet88

    Reply

  26. This is exactly each an awesome content and articles document really quite quite beloved reading. This isn’t on daily basis i feature capability to work out a huge concern. https://vuabet88b.com

    Reply

  27. It is really a great and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing. 에프페시아

    Reply

  28. Hello every one, here every person is sharing these kinds
    of know-how, therefore it’s fastidious to read this web site, and I used to
    visit this web site all the time.

    My site: hey

    Reply

  29. There are a handful of interesting points over time in this posting but I do not know if I see every one of them center to heart. There is certainly some validity but I will take hold opinion until I investigate it further. Good article , thanks and now we want much more! Included with FeedBurner also 카마그라

    Reply

  30. This excellent website definitely has all the information and facts I wanted
    about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.

    Here is my homepage – 인계동테라피

    Reply

  31. An interesting discussion may be worth comment. I do think that you simply write on this topic, it will not certainly be a taboo subject but normally consumers are insufficient to communicate on such topics. To a higher. Cheers https://loto1887.com

    Reply

  32. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything similar to this before. So nice to discover somebody with original ideas on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this web site is a thing that is required on the net, somebody if we do originality. beneficial job for bringing something new to the internet! https://loto1887.com

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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