Tell Governor Brown: Medical Interpreters Play a Vital Role

When I was 19, my little brother and I both got sick. I got better, but he didn't. We lost time - a few days worth - finding a medical facility that had medical interpreters and could diagnose his symptoms. I interpreted between the doctors and my parents. I am still haunted by the thought that had I done a better job he would be alive today. My brother Aldo was five years old when he died.

Unfortunately, my story isn't the first or last. In my state of California almost half the population speaks a different language than their doctor. Every day, thousands of lives are put at risk due to miscommunication.

Governor Brown can fix this. He can sign AB 1263, a bill that will bring federal funding to the state of California to set up an interpreter program to help doctors and their patients communicate. This program will save lives and save our healthcare system money.

Tell Governor Brown: Save Lives. Sign AB 1263.