Chicago: Language Assistance Lacking at Resurrection Hospitals

[Harold Schiffman]

Earthtimes.org (Press Release)

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Language Assistance Lacking at Resurrection Hospitals
Posted on : 2007-11-12 | Author : HEART/AFSCME
News Category : PressRelease


CHICAGO, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One of Chicago's largest
hospital chains is failing to provide language assistance services
required by federal law, according to a complaint filed today with the
Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services. The complaint, which was filed by the American Federation of
State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31, alleges
that Resurrection Health Care (RHC) has systematically failed to
provide the most basic forms of language assistance services to ensure
equal access to health care for all patients regardless of English
language proficiency.

Congressman Luis Gutierrez joined AFSCME in calling on the
eight-hospital Resurrection chain to reform its policies which
effectively discriminate against those who do not speak fluent
English. "When people in our communities need health care, they should
be assured that the quality of the care they receive won't be
compromised because of a language barrier. That's what federal law
provides --- and that's the right thing to do," Rep. Gutierrez said.
"I have been very disappointed to learn that Resurrection Health Care
hospitals, which serve communities with large numbers of Latinos and
other ethnic groups, do not appear to be making a sincere effort to
provide the necessary language assistance services," he added.

The complaint alleges that Resurrection's failure to provide these
services is a violation of Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of
1964 which prohibits recipients of federal funding, such as Medicare
and Medicaid, from discriminating on the basis of race, color, or
national origin. The failure to provide adequate language assistance
services to patients in need in the health care setting has been
recognized by the courts as a violation of Title VI's ban on national
origin discrimination. Language assistance services include providing
trained medical translators and interpreters and providing consent
forms and discharge instructions in commonly encountered languages.

Resurrection hospitals treat more Latino patients than any other
Chicago health care network, yet employees report only two of RHC's
eight hospitals employ professional interpreters. Among other area
hospitals that treat high numbers of Latino inpatients, the average
percent of revenue spent on language assistance services is five times
higher than that at Resurrection. Leticia Gonzales sought care for
severe stomach pain at RHC's St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital. Because of
the language barrier the medical personnel were never able to
effectively diagnose her condition. After months of suffering she was
finally brought to another area hospital where she was diagnosed with
a severe gallbladder infection that had spread to the kidneys. She
underwent an operation and spent 15 days hospitalized in critical
condition.

"Resurrection Health Care has more resources than other community
hospitals but is doing far less in assuring that patients can get
appropriate treatment no matter what language barriers may exist,"
said AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director, Henry Bayer. Rev. Larry
Dowling, pastor of St. Agatha Catholic Church, also joined in calling
for Resurrection to reform its policy. "We should demand more of any
hospital, but we should expect more from a hospital system with a
spiritual mission," Father Dowling said. "Beyond the obligation
Resurrection has to the public health, they have an obligation to be a
beacon of quality health care, administered clearly and
understandably, no matter what language you speak."

Idida Perez, Executive Director of West Town Leadership United,
summarized the door-to-door survey on barriers to health care access
that was conducted over the summer. "We asked residents who were not
fluent in English if they had experienced any difficulties
understanding doctors and nurses or reading hospital forms. Over 30%
responded that they did experience problems," she said. "This is not
acceptable. Patients have a right to professional translation services
and failure to provide those services can have a tremendous impact on
their health."

Patients who have experienced difficulties receiving language
assistance, such as interpretation services or translations of vital
health care forms, can call 1-800-899-9728 for more information about
their rights and to support the campaign for quality language
assistance services at Resurrection Health Care hospitals.
Resurrection employees have been working to form a union with AFSCME
Council 31. For more information, visit
http://www.reformresurrection.org/.


http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,221457.shtml

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