Minority groups and patient advocacy organizations have campaigned for culturally competent health for many years; however, the institutionalization of the concepts and development of programs have proved difficult. Health care institutions like hospitals and clinics, medical schools and especially managed care organizations have resisted incorporation of programs promoting culturally competent and linguistically appropriate care, citing cost and time as barriers. Therefore, a multi-pronged approach to promoting culturally competent care has been attempted in many places. Advocates for culturally competent care have included provider and staff training, developing state and federal standards and guidelines, and legislative mandates as part of a larger strategy. In December 2000, a “cultural competency” bill was submitted to the Massachusetts State Legislature. This bill requires managed care organizations (MCO) to provide culturally competent mental health care or allow its members to seek such care outside the network, and “to be reimbursed at the same rate.” Massachusetts State Representative Ruth Balser submitted the bill with endorsements from community organizations and the Black and Latino Caucus of the Massachusetts State legislature. The bill uses the Office of Minority Health/ Department of Health and Human Services definition for “culturally competent and linguistically appropriate.” The bill has yet to be passed into law, and the success or failure of this bill will have important lessons for further legislative actions in Massachusetts as well as for other states.
Learning Objectives: As part of a larger panel on AAPI health, participants will learn about the strategies that can be used to pass a legislative bill requiring culturally competent and linguistically appropriate care. The strategies discussed will include the reasons for targeting mental health services specifically and how to expand this to all health care services.
Keywords: Cultural Competency, Mental Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Massachusetts State Legislature
Massachusetts Psychological Association
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.