U.S. Issues New Rules for Translation and Interpreting in Healthcare

It’s about time. In May 2016, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a “must read” legal rule to clarify HHS requirements under:
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

The intent of the rule is to “clarify and codify” nondiscriminatory requirements that already exist-and to lay out new standards that implement ACA. It applies to any entity that receives U.S. federal financial assistance (whether directly or indirectly).

This rule spells out a few “gray” issues (such as whether family members and friends can interpret or translate in federally funded services). Share it widely. Please.

Thanks to the Oregon Society of Translators and Interpreters (OSTI) for spreading the word!

Ingrid E. Oseguera, CCI and CMI-Spanish
NAJIT, IMIA, UTIA
ICCA
801-897-4400