Cultural Competence Ensuring the Provision of Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency Iris Reyes, M.D. Maritza Alvarado, M.D. Gonzalo Paz-Soldan, M.D Johanny Garcia, M.D.

Recommendation #1 Encourage individual practitioners to make patients aware of their rights under Title VI. –Provide patients with informational resource materials from the Office of Civil Rights. – Assist patients with complaint procedures when appropriate.

Recommendation #2 Create an LEP Services Task Force –Evaluate existing LEP services –Design training programs for practitioners on appropriate delivery of LEP services –Develop research areas in LEP services –Serve as a liaison to other organizations actively involved in developing LEP services.

Recommendation #3 Create partnerships with commercial insurance companies to develop financial incentives for the effective use of LEP services. –Offer higher reimbursement rates for providers who have effective LEP services. –Identify LEP services as a quality indicator.

Recommendation #4 Support the inclusion of interpreter services as mandatory for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. –Include LEP services in accreditation requirements for healthcare organizations. –Support strengthening the regulatory arm of the Office of Civil Rights

Recommendation #5 Support and disseminate LEP services guidelines. –Create educational awareness campaigns for patients and practitioners. –Enlist community organizations to assist in patient educational efforts. –Use websites, newspapers and local media.