Asian Immigrant Women Advocates uses the power of media to exert pressures on Obama, calling for attention to the provision of language assistance as part of the health-care reform

July 2009 (Reported by 韓秋萍 of SingTao Daily - Oakland)

With the increasing momentum of the health care reform proposed by President Obama, many Chinese medical and health care organizations worry about its development. Many Chinese immigrants are quite confused about the complexities of our present health care system, with multiple types of health insurance companies and plans, and compounded by language barriers. The lack of understanding makes it difficult for them to access the health care system when they need to see a doctor. Advocates have sent a letter to their legislative members to convey the concerns of ethnic Chinese Americans.

Yesterday (July 10, 2009), the Asian Immigrants Women Advocates (AIWA) in Oakland held a Chinese press conference, calling President Obama’s attention to the importance of providing “bilingual health care services”! AIWA will write to Congresswomen Barbara Lee and Congressman Pete Stark, urging these two members of the Democratic Party to represent their “voice” to President Obama.

Ken Fong, Program Director of AIWA, said: “Even before President Obama took office, we have initiated a number of health-care advocacy movements to promote bilingual services as an integral part of our healthcare system, because there are many immigrant women in AIWA who do not speak English, and encounter many problems when seeking healthcare services.” He said that the implementation of the reform of health care system by President Obama gives a great opportunity for the group to convey the demands to the president. He hoped that the President, in considering the health care reform platform, will include employment of bilingual staff, so that people who do not know English have equal access to medical services.

The current health care system encompasses many different insurance companies and different health plans for different medical services, and have different requirements. When coupled with language barriers, many Chinese have no knowledge about the benefits of their coverage after purchasing their health insurance plans. Ken Fong believes that the ultimate goal of the healthcare reform should give health insurance to more people. Many Chinese immigrants have feared to seek medical attention even when they are sick, as deterred by the language barriers that they have to face in the current healthcare system.

Testimonies of Chinese women to the plight of the dire situation of seeking medical care

In addition, the reform of the current healthcare system highlights the urgent need to reduce healthcare cost. With a one-payor system by the government, it will reduce unnecessary costs generated by competitions among different insurance carriers. Under a “Recycling” scheme, the savings can be recycled back to the hospitals to provide more programs, with better facilities and equipments. Through the direct collaborations with hospitals, it will help to ensure that patients can receive comprehensive medical care. Hence, bilingual services has important significance in this healthcare reform.

During this press conference, Chinese women shared their difficult experiences in seeking healthcare because of their language barriers. Ms. Lanfang Liu, a Chinese American immigrant of 34 years, said: “One time I got sick and went to the hospital. Because I can only speak a little bit of English, I needed a Cantonese interpreter. The hospital used an interpreter over the phone, the interpreter said, “the wall of the organ that holds urine has fallen down.” I had no idea what that meant, nor the treatment that I needed to fix it. The doctor told me to make a re-appointment. The second time was the same. An interpreter was used over the phone, and I again could not understand what was said. Finally, I decided to find a Chinese doctor, but she also does not understand Chinese. Fortunately, her nurse can speak Cantonese and helped me understand my medical condition and needed treatment. But I had to seek help three times before I received the proper medical treatment.”

Ms. Shaoying Hu, another Chinese, told of her experience of severe abdominal pain. She went to see a doctor, and subsequently received a $800 bill. They went to the hospital to get an explanation on the bill, and because they do not speak English, they requested for an interpreter. The hospital brought in an interpreter who is blind and cannot read the bill. Later she was told that it was a dental bill. “I’ve never gotten dental care, and should not be responsible for this bill. But because of the language barriers, I find it difficult to argue with the hospital. So I ended up paying installments for the last two years to pay off the bill. Only one word can describe this” ‘injustice’!” she said.