Introduction
Culturally competent healthcare institutions provide health services without any form of discrimination to the service seekers. Physicians can favor patients based on their linguistic differences, race, color, cultural beliefs, and behaviors. Health facilities that provide health care to patients without interfering with their (patients) right to quality services guarantee optimum care delivery. The right to receive quality health care, irrespective of one’s cultural background, is anchored on the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This paper investigates how the policy has enhanced culturally proficient care.
Background to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits any favoritism that is anchored on one’s nationality or any other characteristics, especially when he or she is seeking government-funded services, programs, or activities. In the process of administering the Act, taxpayers should not be excluded on any basis while trying to access any program that is funded through the money they remit to the government in the form of taxes (Brenman, 2011). Where the recipients of the federal funding are found engaging in any discriminatory act, federal agencies that give financial assistance are required to initiate the process of terminating the funding. The agencies also have the option of forwarding the matter to the US Department of Justice for further legal action. The law also provides room for people who encounter any distress from a recipient to report their grievances to the relevant bodies. According to the United States Department of Justice (2015), such individuals should either present their complaints to agencies that offer financial aid or commence authorized measures against the perpetrators.
How the Law has Contributed to improving Culturally Competent Care
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 has been at the forefront in ensuring that government-aided programs demonstrate fairness when delivering services to people. The Act is aimed at enhancing quality care to all legally acknowledged individuals in the US. The US healthcare system receives federal funding through Medicaid and Medicare. Therefore, the law ensures that these federal-funded health schemes provide the necessary cover to all Americans, regardless of their differences. It assures them of equal access to health care services. To achieve this goal, the law advocates subsidized health care costs. Any health institution that offers services at costs that are not in line with the law is at risk of being banned from receiving funds from Medicaid and Medicaid. To this extent, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provides legal intervention to people who experience and/or report cases of discrimination. Hence, through the Act, the US healthcare system has developed the capacity to deliver culturally proficient care. According to Teitelbaum, Cartwright-Smith, and Rosenbaum (2012), the major legal guidelines for Medicaid and Medicare are founded on this Act.
Conclusion
The Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 has had a significant impact on health care delivery in the US. The US Department of Justice appreciates the fact that the law has ensured that all people can access health services, irrespective of their financial levels. Through the law, non-English speaking communities that live in the US can access quality health care in US. For example, a Chinese immigrant who is legally living in the US can enjoy quality care. Hence, it is evident that the law has significantly boosted health care delivery in the US.
Reference List
Brenman, M. (2011). An Introduction to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Web.
Teitelbaum, J., Cartwright-Smith, L., & Rosenbaum, S. (2012). Translating Rights into Access: Language Access and Affordable Care Act. American Journal of Law and Medicine, 38(2/3), 348-373.
The United States Department of Justice. (2015). Overview of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Web.