SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon's health insurance exchange will have staff who speak Spanish, Russian and Vietnamese to help explain and market the service that's expected to provide health coverage to thousands of Oregonians.
The exchange will help the uninsured get access to health coverage once the federal health care overhaul requires most Americans to have insurance beginning next year. But the state faces cultural and linguistic challenges in trying to educate limited-English speakers and hard-to-reach populations.
The exchange will be called Cover Oregon. Spokeswoman Lisa Morawski says staff will use an interpretation service to reach people who speak other languages. Cover Oregon also is partnering with insurance agents and community organizations to reach non-English speakers.
