HHS Taking New Steps to Ease Language Barriers Across Agency Programs
- October 14, 2022
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is moving to break language barriers across the agency’s programs, including updating language access plans and awarding $4 million for a new language access initiative, according to an October 6 announcement.
HHS is relaunching its Language Access Steering Committee to ensure all agency-administered programs and activities update plans for providing meaningful access to limited English proficient (LEP) individuals.
The HHS Office of Minority Health also will award more than $4 million in grants to 11 organizations for a three-year initiative to develop and test methods of informing individuals with LEP about the availability of language access services in health care-related settings, the agency said.
“We know that people with limited English proficiency too often face discrimination when seeking health care and human services,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “The risk of misinformation, the wrong type of care, or foregoing care altogether is high when language barriers persist. We’re putting policy into action to eliminate barriers to equitable care and leave no one behind.”