Why You Need Someone Who Can Translate Health Law into Everyday English

In recent years there have been so many changes within healthcare law that it would take having a masters in health law to be able to interpret all those laws, amendments, revisions and legal terms that even lawyers argue the meaning of among themselves. So what happens if you are not only well versed in healthcare law, but are also the owner of a company who speaks English as a second language? Now you are confronted with two very real problems, which is more than you should be expected to handle.

Problem #1 – English Is Your Second Language

One of the areas of health law that seems to have fallen between the cracks is what to do about employers who speak English as a second language. While Spanish is the most common foreign language spoken in the United States, there are a huge number of businesses owned by foreign nationals. When this is the case, not only do they often need an interpreter when negotiating business deals, but they often need an interpreter when seeking healthcare, too.

Now consider what it means to these employers who speak English less than fluently, to negotiate health insurance for their employees. The law mandates that healthcare providers hire translators for their patients if they receive federal funding, but is this also required of healthcare insurance companies? This is something that you would probably need to discuss with someone who has a healthcare law degree.

Problem #2 – Legalese Is Unintelligible

If you think it is bad trying to understand English, try understanding the legalese of our healthcare laws. They are hard enough to translate into everyday English for those who are proficient in English as their native language, now try to translate these into terminology that speakers of other languages can relate to. Some terms simply aren’t easy to translate as it is, then when legal jargon is mixed into the equation, you could have real problems on your hands.

If you are trying to comply with our healthcare laws, you may want to speak with your attorney who is probably the most knowledgeable person about current regulations and those which may be coming into effect in the near future. The point is, don’t feel bad if you can’t understand what you are supposed to be doing because the plain truth is, few people can! This has been an ongoing controversy for generations.

You Need a Translator

Whether English is your native language or you are a foreign national stumbling through conversational English day-to-day, you will most likely be in need of a translator when the new laws go into effect sometime after the new administration takes the Oval Office. The Affordable Care Act is probably on its way out as it is not affordable and is most likely to be repealed by the incoming President and Congress. Your best course of action is to find someone to work with who can translate those new laws into a language you can understand in order to ensure that you will be compliant.