Interpreter Resources

With support from the Quality Health Foundation, the Center for a Healthy Maryland has created a web-based database of linguistic resources to help physicians address the language needs of their patients. In developing this database, the Center surveyed clinicians to determine the status of health literacy, language and cultural differences among their patients and also to identify barriers to effective communication as well as resources needed. To view survey findings, please click here. Physicians are required by law to provide foreign and sign language interpreters, if requested by a patient. A history of the regulation is outlined below.
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Resource Guide

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Last Updated 5/24/2010

Executive Order 13166

On August 30, 2000, President Clinton issued Executive Order 13166. The Order, “Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency” requires Federal agencies to examine the services they provide, identify any need for services to those with limited English proficiency (LEP), develop and implement a system to provide those services so LEP persons can have meaningful access to them and have Federal agencies work to ensure that recipients of Federal financial assistance provide meaningful access to their LEP applicants and beneficiaries.

To assist with regulation of the new Order, the U.S. Department of Justice created the LEP Guidance that sets standards and principles for agencies to follow. Within these guidelines, Physicians and health care providers must abide by the new Order and “ensure that LEP persons have meaningful access to the health and social service benefits that they provide.”

Who is a Limited English Proficient (LEP) Individual?

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and who have a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English may be limited English proficient, or ‘LEP’, and may be eligible to receive language assistance with respect to a particular type of service, benefit, or encounter.”

For more information about Executive Order 13166 and LEP individuals please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Contact Information

For more information about the Interpreter Resources project, please contact:

Roberta M. Herbst, M.S.
Program Manager
Phone: 410-539-0872 or 800-492-1056, ext. 3340
Fax: 410-649-4131
e-mail: rherbst@medchi.org