Health Care Interpreter Resources, Events, Policy, and Laws

Resources

Preferred Language Cards

Preferred Language Card Templates create business-size cards in Oregon's most frequently used languages that people with limited English proficiency (LEP) can carry in their wallets and show to their health care providers.

How to Use Preferred Language Cards

The Preferred Language Card is a language access tool designed to improve communication between a consumer with limited English proficiency (LEP) and health care providers in general. This card assists health care providers and their staff to quickly identify the consumer's preferred spoken language and to contact an interpreter. Please note that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act directs agencies receiving federal funding to provide free interpretation services to LEP persons.

For additional information and resources, visit www.lep.gov

You can find Preferred Langauge Cards in multiple languages below.

Instructions:

Ask the consumer for their preferred spoken language
Record the consumer's preferred language in their permanent record/electronic medical record
Provide a Preferred Language Card in the consumer's chosen language
Recommend that the consumer carry the Preferred Language Card and present it every time they need language interpretation services
If the card is lost, please replace it immediately

Preferred Language Card Printing Instructions

This printable format creates 3.5 inch x 4 inch cards which are meant to be folded in half and shared with members, patients, and consumers. To create your own cards, set the printer to duplex (double side) printing, and we recommend a mid-wieght cardstock for best results. If you send the format to a professional printer, we recommend 80# Cover Dull Coated paper. If the cards are to be printed on a copier that has the capability to print cardstock use 80# Cover Brilliant White.

The following links are provided for informational purposes only. The State of Oregon does not endorse them or make any claims as to their accuracy.

National Organizations

HCI Standards and Code of Ethics

Other Health Care Interpretation Resources and Organizations

Health Equity Definition

Oregon will have established a health system that creates health equity when all people can reach their full health potential and well-being and are not disadvantaged by their race, ethnicity, language, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, intersections among these communities or identities, or other socially determined circumstances.

Achieving health equity requires the ongoing collaboration of all regions and sectors of the state, including tribal governments to address:

The equitable distribution or redistributing of resources and power; and

Recognizing, reconciling and rectifying historical and contemporary injustices.

Creating an Accessible Presentation

Laws

Federal Civil Rights Law

Oregon's health care interpreter law is based on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI says that no one may be left out of any program or activity that gets federal funding because of their national origin.

Visit the Office for Civil Rights for more information on how to be sure that access is provided to people who can not speak English well.

Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 413.550

Oregon Revised Statues (ORS) 413.550 requires the State of Oregon to establish a program to certify health care interpreters who serve persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) in medical settings. The intent is to assure that persons with LEP get health care services that are based on accurate and complete information. Within the context of this law, health care is defined as "medical, surgical or hospital care recognized by state law, including mental health care."

Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 333-002

Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 333-002 is the set of administrative rules establishing the standards for the implementation of Oregon Revised Statues 413.550.

Department of Justice

Analysis on Limited English Proficiency Translation and Interpretation Requirements

Do you have a Civil Rights Complaint or concern regarding HCI services?

Coordinated Care Organizations and Health Care Interpreters

SB 1580 is the legislation which establishes Oregon's Coordinated Care Organizations. Administrative rules for Oregon Revised Statues 410-141-3590 establish the standards for CCOs related to cultural and linguistically accessible care and the use of qualified or certified health care interpreters.

Find out more about Coordinated Care Organizations in Oregon.