SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 60

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Dede Feldman

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION TO CREATE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY LANGUAGE BARRIERS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON IMPROVING MEDICAL INTERPRETATION.

     WHEREAS, quality health care requires that patients and providers communicate effectively; and

     WHEREAS, an inability to communicate effectively can be a language barrier to receiving quality health care for many racial and ethnic minorities; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has the highest percentage of residents with limited English language proficiency in the country; and

     WHEREAS, Hispanics and Native Americans make up more than fifty percent of the state's population; and

     WHEREAS, studies have indicated that while the incidence of health care disparities among most minorities is decreasing, the incidence of health care disparities is increasing among Hispanics; and

     WHEREAS, numerous health care providers throughout the state rely on untrained staff, other patients and even children to interpret patient-provider communications that are complex, confidential and sensitive; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has a critical need for more medical interpreters who are culturally and linguistically competent;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico health policy commission be requested to create a task force to study language barriers that contribute to health care disparities, review existing standards for medical interpreters and make recommendations on the training and practices of medical interpretation; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include representation from the department of health, health care practitioners, medical interpreters and affected communities, particularly those with Hispanic and Native American residents; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force present its findings and recommendations to the legislative health and human services committee by September 30, 2006; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico health policy commission and the department of health.

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