LISTEN: Federal law entitles patients to interpreters if they don鈥檛 have a strong grasp of English. 麻豆女优 Health News correspondent Vanessa G. S谩nchez appeared on WAMU鈥檚 鈥淗ealth Hub鈥 on July 9 to explain why some Trump administration policies are leaving patients fearful to ask for language services.听
Patients need to communicate clearly with their health care provider. But that鈥檚 getting more difficult for those in the U.S. who don鈥檛 speak English.听
Budget cuts by the Trump administration have left some providers scrambling to keep qualified medical interpreters. And an executive order designating English the official language of the United States has created confusion among providers about what services should be offered.听
Patients who don鈥檛 speak English are left afraid, and perhaps at risk for medical mistakes. What happens when those who need help are too frightened to ask?聽
In WAMU鈥檚 July 9 鈥淗ealth Hub鈥 segment, 麻豆女优 Health News correspondent Vanessa G. S谩nchez explained why health advocates worry these changes could lead to worse patient outcomes.听
麻豆女优 Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at 麻豆女优鈥攁n independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about .