In California, some Monterey County leaders are pushing for a new Indigenous-language access pilot program to address the healthcare needs of Oaxacan Indigenous people in the community. This proposal would be a pilot program at the Alisal Health Clinic in East Salinas.
The program would hire Indigenous medical interpreters for appointments and community health workers to help with paperwork. Clinics would also need to flag whenever someone needs an interpreter.
“This is always about trying to do better in healthcare, so that we can make things easier when people are trying to visit their doctors or get health care for their children, which is essential,” said Luis Alejo, District 1 supervisor for the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. “I am very confident in our health department. I think they also recognize there is a need here.”
KION News (6/2/25) By Sergio Berrueta