Introduction
Ensuring children’s access to health care is a cornerstone of public health policy. Publicly financed health care programs, like Medicaid and CHIP in the US, are designed to provide crucial coverage for eligible children. However, effectively reaching all eligible families is a complex challenge. This article examines one significant barrier: language proficiency, and its impact on enrollment in publicly financed health care programs.
Language Proficiency and Program Awareness
A recent study investigated the role of language in enrolling children in a state-sponsored health insurance program. The research focused on parents of Medicaid-eligible children and revealed that language proficiency significantly affects how families learn about and access these vital programs. Nearly one-third of families surveyed primarily spoke a language other than English at home. These families with limited English proficiency (LEP) demonstrated distinct patterns in their program awareness and enrollment processes compared to English-proficient families.
Enrollment Assistance and Barriers
LEP families were significantly more likely to discover the publicly financed health care program through medical providers. They also relied more heavily on in-person assistance for enrollment, often receiving help from staff at medical sites rather than utilizing toll-free telephone lines. Furthermore, language differences correlated with perceived barriers to enrollment. LEP families were more likely to report “know-how” barriers, struggling with understanding program details, eligibility criteria, and the enrollment process itself. These disparities persisted even after accounting for factors like marital status, family structure, and employment.
Implications for Outreach and Enrollment Strategies
The findings underscore the substantial influence of English language proficiency on accessing publicly financed health care programs. To effectively serve all eligible children, particularly those from LEP households, strong leadership at the state level is essential. This leadership must prioritize the development and implementation of outreach and enrollment strategies specifically tailored to address the unique needs of individuals with limited English proficiency. These targeted approaches are crucial to ensure equitable access to publicly financed health care and improve child health outcomes across diverse communities.
