This brief documents CPEHN’s advocacy efforts on SB 853, the Health Care Language Assistance Act. The first of its kind in the country, this bill holds health plans accountable for the provision of language services – requiring health plans and health insurers to provide their enrollees with interpreter services, translated materials, and to collect data on race, ethnicity, and language to address to health disparities. The brief includes a summary of the key provisions of SB 853 and its regulations as well as a timeline of important advocacy activities leading to its full implementation.
