Language Access

It is important that programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and state health programs are able to meet the unique needs of multicultural low-income older adults. NSCLC conducts administrative advocacy to ensure that federal and state agencies as well as private Medicare plans comply with requirements to provide older adults with limited English proficiency equal access to health care services.

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• Comments on Language Access Filed with HHS
  In comments filed September 30, 2013, NSCLC urged the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Health and Human Services to increase its focus on language access needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled in managed care.Comment...



• WEBINAR: Language Access Issues in Social Security and Medicare
  Free Webinar - October 8, 2013 Limited English proficient (LEP) older adults face common issues in accessing federally administered public benefits, in particular Social Security and Medicare. More than 3.3 million of America’s seniors are not...



• Comments: Provisions of Older Americans Act Affecting LGBT Older Adults
  NSCLC joins with others in commenting on proposed rule that implements provisions of the Older Americans Act affecting LGBT older adults.



• The Importance of Health Care Access Among Hispanic Older Adults
  December 13, 2012 Statement for Capitol Hill Briefing “The Importance of Health Care Access Among Hispanic Older Adults” Fay Gordon, Staff Attorney Hello, thank you for inviting the National Senior Citizens Law Center to participate in this tim...



• Ten Things You Need to Know About Language Access Advocacy for Seniors
  More than 3.3 million of American’s seniors are not fluent in English.  A significant number of these seniors are low-income; in 2003, 38% of low-income SSI applicants who were 65 and over asked to be interviewed in a language other than Engl...



• Webinar: Addressing Health Disparities: Language Access Advocacy for Limited English Proficient Seniors
  Dec. 13, 2011 Are you an elder advocate with limited English proficient (LEP) clients?  Do you often wonder what legal rights apply to written translations and oral interpretation, or how health care reform applies to this arena?  This jam-packed ...



• Grantmakers in Aging Session Focuses on Language Access
  ¿Habla Inglés?  At the Language Access and Advocacy for Diverse Aging Populations session at the Grantmakers in Aging Annual Conference in McLean, VA, Directing Attorney Katharine Hsiao participated on the panel mentioned in Paul Nathanson’s co...



• CMS Requiring Medicare Plans to Translate Materials
  Posted on 2011/04/07 In a victory for advocates for people with limited English proficiency, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services adopted final rule requiring Medicare plans to translate marketing materials.  Read more. (PDF)



• IHSS and Language Access: A Resource Manual for Advocates
  NSCLC's resource manual for advocates provides background information and practical advice for advocates whose clients receive In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and are limited English proficient. Resources include NSCLC's recent report on language ac...



• Improving Language Access to Keep California’s Older Adults at Home
  An Examination of the In-Home Supportive Services Program This NSCLC report contains findings and recommendations to improve the experiences of limited English proficient consumers of California's In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) personal care progr...