Oregon Council on Health Care Interpreters

ORS 409.615-625 created a 25-member council on health care interpreters advising the state on administrative rules and policy standards. By law, the council is to be representative of the racial, ethnic, cultural, social and economic diversity of the people of the state.

The council is constituted according to the following:

The Governor appoints two members from each of the following groups

• Consumers of medical services who are persons with limited English proficiency and who use health care interpreters
• Educators who either teach interpreters or persons in related educational fields, or who train recent immigrants and persons with limited English proficiency
• Persons with expertise and experience in administration or policymaking related to the development and operation of policies, programs or services related to interpreters, and who have familiarity with the rulings of the federal Office for Civil Rights concerning interpreter services for various institutions
• Health care providers, consisting of one physician and one registered nurse, who utilize interpreter services regularly in their practice
• Representatives of safety net clinics that predominantly serve persons with limited English proficiency
• Representatives of hospitals, health systems and health plans predominantly serving persons with limited English proficiency

The Governor appoints one member from each of the following groups

• The Commission on Asian Affairs
• The Commission on Black Affairs
• The Commission on Hispanic Affairs
• The Commission on Indian Services
• The International Refugee Center of Oregon
• The Oregon Judicial Department's Certified Court Interpreter program
• The Commission for Women
• The Institute for Health Professionals of Portland Community College

The Director of the Oregon Health Authority appoints three members including

• One member with responsibility for administering mental health programs
• One member with responsibility for administering medical assistance programs
• One member with responsibility for administering public health programs

The Director of Human Services appoints

• One member with responsibility for administering developmental disabilities programs
• One member with responsibility for administering programs for seniors and persons with disabilities