It’s the Law

Federal and state laws as well as regulatory entities mandate the provision of competent interpreter services to Limited English Proficient (LEP) and Deaf and Hard of Hearing patients. These include:

  • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Massachusetts State Law (ERIL)
  • Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards
  • The Joint Commission
  • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

To Provide High Quality and Safe Care

Communication is at the heart of relationship based care. Language access is critical to:

  • Effective gathering of clinical information
  • Informed consent process
  • Shared decision-making in healthcare
  • Adherence to treatment plans
  • Reducing medical errors
  • Shorter hospital stays
  • Decreased readmissions
  • Better health outcomes