The PHPDA supports high quality, culturally appropriate health care in our community.

Language competency or understanding can be a barrier to health care for some patients. These patients can have trouble understanding how the U.S. health care system “works,” deciphering complicated health care paperwork, or even navigating their way to appointments. In addition, cultural differences may influence how a doctor can most effectively care for his or her patients. Culturally appropriate health care:

• Increases participation in prevention efforts
• Increases patient satisfaction
• Promotes treatment and medication adherence
• Ensures better, more positive health outcomes
• Decreases likelihood of medical errors and litigation, use of emergency services, and staff turnover

The PHPDA supports culturally appropriate health care through partnerships with other community organizations.

The PHPDA has a matching-funds agreement with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. These matched funds support interpreter services for Medicaid patients served by the PHPDA subcontractor, Pacific medical Centers. Effective July 2009, DSHS changed the manner in which it paid for interpretation. This change resulted in a significant decrease in payments. Thus, in 2009, the PHPDA allocated $374,288 to provide interpreter services for Medicaid patients. Services are provided to limited English proficiency, deaf, deaf-blind, and hard-of-hearing Medicaid clients at Pacific Medical Centers. PHPDA contributions are the primary source of funding for this program, and federal Medicaid Match monies make up the remainder.