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Texas Legislation to Achieve Standard Qualifications for the Healthcare Interpreter

Texas Legislation to Achieve Standard Qualifications for the Healthcare Interpreter. Mary Esther Diaz. February 24, 2008. ATA/HITA Medical Seminar. National Perspective.

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Texas Legislation to Achieve Standard Qualifications for the Healthcare Interpreter

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  1. Texas Legislation to Achieve Standard Qualifications for the Healthcare Interpreter Mary Esther Diaz February 24, 2008 ATA/HITA Medical Seminar

  2. National Perspective “…Currently, 43 states have one or more laws addressing language access in health care settings (up from 40 states in July 2003).  Some states’ laws provide detailed guidance, while others note the importance of language access but do not specify the nature of the services that will be provided.  California continues to have more laws addressing language access in health settings than any other state…” Summary of State Law Requirements Addressing Language Needs in Health Care. Jane Perkins, National Health Law Program, NC Office, January 2006 Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  3. US Senate Bill 1576/HR 3333Kennedy • Minority Health Improvement and Health Disparity Elimination Act 110th Congress (Current Session) Senators Kennedy, Cochran, Obama, Bingaman, Clinton, Brown, Durbin Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  4. US Senate Bill 1576/HR 3333 • Title I – Increasing Diversity and Cultural Competency in the Healthcare Workforce Through Education and Training • Title II – Promoting Health and Healthcare Awareness and Access • Title III – Research to Reduce and Eliminate Health Disparities • Title IV – Data Collection, Analysis and Quality • Title V – Leadership, Collaboration and National Action Plan Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  5. Texas Bills Filed in 2005 • SB 213 – Sen. Shapleigh • SB 376/HB 1396 – Sen.Madla/Rep.Zedler • SB 555/HB 1122 – Sen. Janek/Rep. Uresti • HB 1341 – Rep. Strama Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  6. Bill Filed in 2007 • HB 161 – Rep. Gonzales / Escobar / Ortiz, Jr./ Vo Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  7. Proposed Bill for 2009 • 81R122 – Rep. Rodriguez Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  8. SB 213 – Sen. Shapleigh Requiring more Spanish language content for online information provided by state agencies Status: Passed. Effective 9/1/05 Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  9. SB 213 • Each state agency shall make a reasonable effort to ensure that Spanish-speaking persons of limited English proficiency can meaningfully access state agency information online. Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  10. SB 376/HB 1396 – Sen.Madla/Rep.Zedler Pilot program for language interpreter services under the medical assistance program Status: Passed. Effective 5/17/05 Assigned to DHHS Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  11. SB 376 / HB 1396 The Health and Human Services Commission shall establish a pilot program to provide recipients of medical assistance with oral and written language interpreter services in accordance with federal law and applicable publications of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Office for Civil Rights of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  12. SB 376 / HB 1396 continued • The Commission shall establish the pilot program through local governmental entities in at least five sites. The Commission shall request participation by, and give first priority to, the following local governmental entities: • Harris County Hospital District • Bexar County Hospital District • El Paso County Hospital District • Tarrant County Hospital District • Parkland Health and Hospital System Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  13. SB 555/HB 1122 – Sen. Janek/ Rep. Uresti Requirements for certain medical treatment consent forms Status: Did not pass Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  14. SB 555 / HB 1122 Each provision of a disclosure form prepared under Section 74.103(b) of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code must be printed in English, Spanish, and any other language the panel considers appropriate. The information must be presented in a manner understandable to a layperson. Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  15. HB 1341 – Rep. Strama Creation of an advisory committee to establish qualifications for certain health care translators and interpreters Status: Did not pass Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  16. HB 1341 The Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall establish the Advisory Committee on Qualifications for Health Care Translators and Interpreters. Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  17. HB 1341 continued Committee responsibilities Establish and recommend qualifications for healthcare interpreters and translators, that include: • Ability to fluently interpret another language into and out of English • 60 hours of training in anatomy, physiology, medical interpretation and ethics • Practical experience as a translator or interpreter Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  18. Proposed 81R122 Rep. Rodriguez • Same as HB 1341 Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  19. HB 161 • Relating to providing language interpreter services to certain health care providers Status: Reported favorably out of committee, but never reached House floor Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  20. HB 161 DSHS shall establish a toll-free telephone number that is answered by a health care interpreter 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The health care interpreter shall provide oral language interpretation services to physicians, hospital employees and other healthcare providers to assist those individuals in communicating with patients whose primary language is Spanish. Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  21. HB 161 continued The Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt rules to implement this section, including rules establishing the qualifications required for health care interpreters who answer the toll free telephone number established under this section. Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

  22. Resources • Texas Legislature Online • www.capitol.state.tx.us • Thomas (Library of Congress) • www.thomas.gov • National Health Law Program • www.healthlaw.org Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators

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