Health Affairs October 28, 2025
In the United States, there are an estimated 25 million people ages five and older with limited English proficiency (LEP). Individuals in this group do not speak English as their primary language, which necessitates interpretation (spoken word) and translation (written word) services. Thus, medical interpretation and translation are frequently necessary to facilitate health care access for all patients. Clear communication between clinicians and patients is crucial to allow accurate evaluation, effective treatment, and to cement trust in the patient-clinician relationship.
As other scholars have noted, language services are essential for health equity and good patient health outcomes, but recent executive actions threaten to undermine this vital resource. Health care providers and leaders must recognize the negative impacts of these executive...
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