Sarah de Guia, JD : Executive Director for California Pan Ethnic Health Network
People who have limited English proficiency need to be able to take medications safely
As healthcare for California’s diverse population becomes increasingly accessible through Covered California, it is more critical than ever to ensure that all patients receive culturally competent care. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, more than 6.5 million residents of California, one out of every five, speak English “less than very well.” Over 44% of Californians speak a language other than English at home.
California just passed a bill that requires pharmacists to provide LEP (limited-English proficient) patients with translated standardized directions for use on prescription drug labels, ensuring that all LEP patients understand how to take their medication. http://cpehn.org
