HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93009_1921 (2)WHEREAS, the 1998-99 contract required by the North Carolina Department of Health and
Human Services states the health department "shall provide interpreter services at no cost to clients
or their families ..."; and
WHEREAS, it is outrageous and unjust that taxpayers pay the cost of interpreter services for
those who, in most cases, are not citizens of the Unites States and in many cases are not even legal
residents; and
WHEREAS, as the non-English speaking population increases, the cost of providing the
interpreter services will rise and this additional cost will result in either a greater burden to the
taxpayer or the curtailment of other services; and
WHEREAS, the fee adopted by Iredell County is waived for those, who claim to be unable
to pay, thus insuring that no one will be denied care.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we urge the North Carolina Department of
Health and Human Services to amend said contract by deleting the provision that prohibits local
health departments from collecting interpreter fees; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the state to provide legal assistance to counties
whose interpreter fees are challenged by federal agencies; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that we urge the North Carolina General Assembly to enact
legislation to guarantee the right of local health departments to establish fees for interpreter services.
This the 7' day of July, 1998.
ria*r
Mr. Boone advised there was another resolution addressed to Congress which included the
same preambles. The resolution asks that Congress pass legislation to make it clear that federal law
will not bar state and local governments from charging interpreter fees.
The resolution in its entirety reads as follows:
WHEREAS, the Iredell County Board of Health and the Iredell County Board of
Commissioners, by unanimous votes, established a fee for interpreter services at the Iredell County
Health Department; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Office of Civil Rights has taken the position that fees for interpreter
services are in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and has in fact filed complaints
against local health departments that charge such fees, despite the fact that no federal court has ruled
on this issue; and
WHEREAS, it is outrageous and unjust that taxpayers pay the cost of interpreter services
for those who, in most cases, are not citizens of the United States, and in many cases are not even
legal residents; and
WHEREAS, as the non-English speaking population increases, the cost of providing
interpreter services will rise, and this additional cost will result in either a greater burden on the
taxpayer or the curtailment of other services; and
WHEREAS, the fee adopted by Iredell County is waived for those who claim to be unable
to pay, thus ensuring that no one will be denied care.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Iredell County Board of
Commissioners, do urge the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to ensure that the