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Marilyn
Brusherd
from the Department of Human & Health Services (Office of Civil
Rights, Chicago) discussed a patient’s rights to bilingual
services from health care providers. Title VI of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 states any person with Limited English Proficiency
(LEP) has the right to obtain bilingual healthcare. Every
healthcare provider that receives federal financial assistance is
required by law to accommodate LEP patients by hiring bilingual
staff or interpreters.
Lydia
Alejandro,
cofounder of the Ohio Latino Health Coalition (OLHC), explained
that was surprised to learn the laws apply to private healthcare
providers as well. OLHC was formed in 1999 to address the health
disparities affecting the Latino communities in Ohio. It strives
to identify barriers to health care, strategize plans and
implement health projects to improve the health of Latinos. [For
more information about Title VI visit the Office of Civil Rights (ORC)
web site:
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr]
The workshop
also included presentation by Team Cleveland, an initiative
team of Souder, Betances & Associates Inc., a Chicago based
diversity consultation group funded by the Cleveland Foundation to
assess the needs of the Cleveland Latino community.
“Getting it
right: A framework for Hispanic coalition-building in Cleveland,
Assessment Report” offers a snapshot of perceptions within the
Latino and greater community of Cleveland and provides a framework
of action plans.
The results
are not surprising and inline with the national perceptions and
problems says Dr. Laura Souder, C.E.O. / President of Souder,
Betances and Associates Inc.
To request a
complete copy of the report, e-mail your request to Lourdes
Negron-McDaniel at:
luqui@sbcglobal.net.
As part of
Convención Hispana 2007 on Oct. 13, health workshops were
presented, including topics dealing with diabetes (presented by
Dr. Leonore Osorio), mental health (presented by Dr. Erendira
López-García), and health care costs (presented by Cathy Levine).
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