Legacy of Care for New New Yorkers

HHC Options counselors provide financial assistance while keeping immigration status confidential.

When 39-year-old Elena Muñoz came to Woodhull Hospital with symptoms of a heart attack in August 2006, the mother of three feared she would need to rely on her son to explain to the doctors what was wrong. Fortunately, the Limited English Proficiency Program at the hospital was able to provide translation services so she could communicate appropriately with her doctors.

“I feel fortunate that such a service is available because a lot of errors can be avoided this way,” said Muñoz, a Mexican Immigrant from Brooklyn. “I felt very tired, I couldn’t breathe, half of my face was swollen, and I was anxious because I couldn’t tell the doctor what I was feeling. The interpreter could speak to me in Spanish and that was very helpful.”

Muñoz's experience is not unique among immigrant New Yorkers, who have always sought health care in New York City public hospitals. HHC’s translation services serve as a model that other healthcare networks can emulate to comply with New York State guidelines for medical interpretation. HHC’s comprehensive language services include telephonic interpretation in 150 languages and UN-style simultaneous interpretation using wireless technology. In recent years, HHC has invested $30 million dollars to support and expand these programs.

“It's important for patients to feel comfortable asking for an interpreter, and we encourage them to do so,” said Stefanie Trice, Senior Associate Director for Cultural Diversity Development at Elmhurst Hospital. “Everyone who has used an interpreter has a story of how it lightens their burden or has improved their confidence in our healthcare system.”

Extending comprehensive language services is just one of the many ways HHC serves immigrant New Yorkers. As part of New York City's celebration of Immigrant History Week from April 16 to 22, HHC is again joining the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs to issue an open letter assuring immigrants that their immigration status remains confidential when they seek care at any public hospital. The letter was widely publicized in 12 languages last year in response to concerns that the contentious debate over immigration reform was leading families to avoid medical treatment.

HHC also provides financial assistance through its HHC Options program to those patients whose income or immigration status may limit their access to health care funding. HHC Options counselors, many of whom are multi-lingual, provide completely confidential assistance to insure that financial concerns do not keep patients from seeking important health care.