Funding for Mental Health and Public Health Interpreter Programs
Funding for Mental Health and Public Health Interpreter Programs
Why this petition matters
Funding for Mental Health & Public Health Interpreter Services: In Massachusetts
Sign this petition to improve Massachusetts Public Health & Mental Health systems by providing funding for language interpreters. There are countless individuals in the state of Massachusetts for whom English is a second language, for this reason we believe government funded interpreter programs are necessary for increased health outcomes.
In professional settings individuals who use English as their second language, or have no experience of speaking English, are less likely to engage and succeed in treatment. Our goal is to provide equal access to treatment through the funding of interpreter services for Public Health and Mental Health agencies.
On countless occasions, individuals who are not fluent in English have been denied services or unable to succeed in programs that are solely based on English language and Western culture. With state funding, ESL (English as a second language) speakers could feel at ease with the language barrier being removed.
Currently, the government provides medicaid coverage for ESL speakers in acute psychiatric and acute care hospitals. This means that only people in immediate crisis can access interpreters at no cost. We need to do better!
What can I do now?
- Sign our petition!
- Look for H.D 2519 in current MA Legislature.Support this bill for further funding of interpreter services.
