Boston Globe Looks at Health Issues Related to Language Barriers

Misunderstandings between American doctors and foreign-born patients can cause a wide range of problems--misunderstandings, higher medical costs, and even death. Some hospitals have launched language programs to address the issue. Critics say interpreters should be used "whenever a clinician is not 100% fluent" because because small misinterpretations can lead to big differences. (Source: Boston Globe quoted on the Kaiser site)