Page 3 - qt edition #51

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025 THE QUEENS TIMES PAGE 3

Governor Hochul Signs Legislation Requiring Language NYS Comptroller DiNapoli: Gen Z and
Assistance Programs in Hospitals Statewide Young Millennials in NY Struggle With

Ensuring Equitable Health Care shouldn’t depend on your English heard, and fully supported when Economic and Affordability Challenges
Access for Millions of New York- proficiency — it should depend on seeking healthcare.”
ers Who Speak A Language Other your needs as a patient. I am deep- Assemblymember Grace Lee graduates nationally. People aged
than English ly grateful to Governor Hochul for said, “Language barriers too often 26 to 34 are more likely to have
recognizing the urgency of this prevent immigrant New Yorkers a bachelor’s degree (31.5%) com-
Legislation S6288B/A387B Re- issue and to Senator John Liu for the ability to understand their own pared to those aged 35 and older
quires Adequate Language Assis- his steadfast partnership in getting medical care. This bill will help (19.6%).
tance Programs in All New York this done. Together, we are mak- ensure that every patient, no mat- Job Market
State Hospitals ing our hospitals more reflective ter what language they speak, can For 18- to 25-year-olds, the
of the communities they serve.” advocate for themselves and better labor force participation rate in
Governor Kathy Hochul signed Assemblymember Michaelle navigate the healthcare system. 2023 was 47.6% with just under
legislation to require general hos- Solages said, “Every New Yorker Thank you to Assemblymember half (49.9%) attending school
pitals across the state to develop has the right to quality medical Nily Rozic and Senator John Liu Student Loan Debt, Rising (high school and above). For those
a language assistance program to care, and language should never for leading on this important leg- Housing Costs, and High Unem- in school and in the labor force,
ensure patients are able to access block someone from getting the islation and to Governor Hochul ployment Undermine Financial the majority (87.8%) worked
all health care services. This legis- help they need. This law brings us for signing it into law.” Independence mostly part-time with a median
lation builds on New York’s role as closer to a system that is equitable, Assemblymember Steven Raga New York’s young adults — work week of 21.7 hours. Employ-
a national leader in breaking down accessible, and culturally com- said, “No one’s health should be some members of Generation Z ment for the 18- to 25-year-olds
barriers to quality health care and petent. By expanding language jeopardized simply because they (born 1997-2012) and Millennials is largely in service occupations
resources. resources, we ensure that patients speak a different language. As (born 1981-1996) — are facing such as sales, food preparation or
“Everyone deserves the right can clearly communicate with home to one of the most diverse a complex economic landscape serving. Young adults aged 26 to
to accessible health care, free from their providers without fear of neighborhoods in the world, these including higher unemployment 34 have the highest participation
language barriers that prevent misunderstandings. I thank Gov- barriers are felt especially strong- rates, increasing costs, and larger rate at 84.7%. Just under 90%
them from accessing the services ernor Hochul, Assemblywoman ly here in Queens. Passing A387 debt burdens, that threatens their of those who are college edu-
they need,” Governor Hochul said. Rozic, and Senator Liu for advanc- is a necessary step to ensure that financial well-being, according cated (and not currently attending
“Signing this legislation ensures ing this essential legislation.” all New Yorkers can access the to a new report released by State school) are employed compared to
that all New Yorkers, regardless Assemblymember Karines quality healthcare they deserve Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. 68.1% of those without a college
of their primary language, are Reyes, R.N. said, “New York is by guaranteeing the availability “Young adults are dealing with education.
treated with dignity and care.” home to large populations of non- of translation services.” mounting obstacles to achieving Unemployment
The bill would require every English speakers, the hearing im- CACF’s Co-Executive Direc- financial stability and indepen- Compared to older New York-
general hospital to develop a paired and others, who depend on tors Anita Gundanna and Vanessa dence,” DiNapoli said. “They face ers, young adults face higher
language assistance program that general hospitals for quality care. Leung said, “Language access is a shrinking pool of entry-level unemployment. The unemploy-
adds certain elements, including: Language barriers are a serious health equity. Right now in New jobs and rising unemployment, ment rate for young adults was
• The designation of a language hindrance to the delivery of care York State, over a third of Asian driven in part by AI. Increasing 8.6% in 2023, more than double
assistance coordinator to these sizable populations, and American New Yorkers are cur- housing costs along with growing the statewide average. However,
• Policies and procedures that Governor Hochul’s signing of this rently limited English proficient debt are also making it increas- unemployment varies based on
ensure timely identification and pivotal legislation makes serious (LEP) and these language barriers ingly difficult for them to live race, ethnicity and education. In
ongoing access for patients in need strides in removing those barri- greatly impact families as they try independently and build their 2024, the unemployment rate in
of language assistance services ers. I look forward to seeing how to navigate the healthcare system. future. Addressing affordability, New York for Black or African
• Ongoing education and training the medical facilities creatively We thank Governor Hochul for expanding housing options, and Americans aged 20 to 24 was
for hospital staff expand access to health care, signing the hospital language improving access to education, 18.2%, more than double their
• Appropriate signage through the development of pro- access bill S6288B/A387B into job training and employment white counterparts; the same
• Documentation of language tocols and programs to allow for law. This is a critical step forward opportunities are essential to was true among 25- to 34-year-
preference in medical records the adequate accommodation of to ensuring that all patients — reversing these trends. Retain- olds. Young adults of Hispanic or
• Provision of skilled interpreters all patients who require language regardless of the language they ing the state’s young workforce Latino ethnicity also had higher
and other staff skilled in com- assistance.” speak — will receive full access is a critical component of New unemployment rates. Asians aged
munication with vision and/or Assemblymember Jessica to the healthcare services they York’s prospects for its long-term 25 to 34 had the lowest unemploy-
hearing-impaired individuals to González-Rojas said, “Today’s need in New York State’s hospi- economic growth and prosperity.” ment rate. The unemployment rate
patients requiring such services signing of A387B is a major win tals. Having access to culturally In 2023, there were 4.6 mil- for those in the 26 to 34 age group
State Senator Gustavo Rivera for New Yorkers who deserve responsive language assistance lion New Yorkers aged 18 to 34 who do not have a college degree
said, “Ensuring language access clear, accessible communication coordinators will be transforma- (“young adults”) representing was over two times higher than
at hospitals for every New Yorker when seeking hospital care. This tive for our community members 23.2% of the state’s population those with one in 2023.
is imperative for a state that law requires hospitals to provide seeking medical care. CACF and and 6.1% of the young adult Expenses
wants to ensure access to care is vital language-assistance services our coalition are grateful for the population nationwide, according The largest expenses for young
universal. Thank you to Governor — including translated forms and leadership of bill sponsors Assem- to the Census Bureau’s American adults were housing, food and
Hochul for signing this valuable access to interpreters — so pa- blywoman Nily Rozic and Senator Community Survey. However, transportation, which comprised
legislation by Senator Liu and tients can understand their treat- John Liu for shepherding this bill New York saw a 1.9% decline over two-thirds of their total
Assemblymember Rozic.” ment, billing, and follow-up care. into law. Our coalition is proud to in this age group over the past spending in 2023. Housing repre-
State Senator John Liu said, As someone who represents one of have advocated for this legislation decade, while the national popula- sented the largest expense, 35%,
“Every patient who walks through the most culturally and linguisti- alongside them and will continue tion of young adults grew 4.2%. and food and transportation were
a hospital’s doors should have the cally diverse communities in the to work to ensure that language The majority of young adults a third of expenses.
ability to communicate clearly and state, I know how transformative access services are strengthened reside in the downstate regions Since 2013, median rental costs
confidently with their doctor, es- — even life-saving — this bill across the state.” (New York City, Long Island and for housing across New York
pecially during emergencies when can be for families like mine. I Chinese-American Plan- the Hudson Valley), with one in have increased by 33%, with the
time is of the essence. Unfortu- want to thank Governor Hochul ning Council President & CEO four New York City residents number of lower cost units declin-
nately, too many young children for signing this critical bill and Wayne Ho said, “We thank Gov- falling into this age group. From ing. Due to these increased costs,
still need to translate complicated congratulate Assemblymember ernor Hochul for signing S6288B/ 2013 to 2023, seven regions across 35.9% of young adult renters now
healthcare information for their Nily Rozic and Senator John Liu A387B into law and expanding the state experienced a decline face housing cost burdens with
immigrant parents due to insuffi- for their leadership in champion- language access in hospitals in their young adult populations, 22.4% spending 30-49% of their
cient language support throughout ing it. With A387 now law, we’re across New York. We hear from with the largest decrease in the income on rent and utilities and
state hospitals. This bill will make making our healthcare system the community members we serve North Country (8.5%). 13.4% spending 50% or more.
sure in-language isn’t just an af- more equitable and responsive to every day who struggle to access For 18-year-old high school In addition, home ownership by
terthought, but a requirement for the needs of all our communities.” critical services like hospital and graduates in New York, over half, young adults has become increas-
all of New York’s hospitals so all Assemblywoman Jenifer health appointments. Our lim- 56.7%, pursue higher education,
New Yorkers can have confidence Rajkumar said, “As a representa- ited English proficient and Asian more than 37.3% of high school (Continued on page 4)
that their healthcare is in good tive of Queens, the most linguis- American communities deserve
hands.” tically diverse community in the dignity, care, and the ability to
Assemblymember Amy Paulin world, I’m proud to co-sponsor communicate their medical needs
said, “Assemblymember Rozic this legislation to guarantee lan- and understand their treatment in
and Senator Liu have been a cham- guage access for all New Yorkers. the language they speak, espe-
pion for patients who too often In moments of crisis—especially cially in a timely manner. This law
struggle to navigate our health- in the emergency room—timely takes meaningful steps to address
care system, and this legislation care can mean the difference those gaps in care and ensures
reflects her strong commitment to between life and death. No one more equity in treatment for the
equity in care. It fills a longstand- should ever be denied care be- most vulnerable New Yorkers. We
ing gap to help ensure that our cause of a language barrier. With are deeply grateful to Assembly-
hospitals better meet the needs of this bill now becoming law, we up- woman Rozic and Senator John
the communities they serve, and hold a simple yet profound truth: Liu for their continued leadership
I’m grateful to Governor Hochul every New Yorker—whether they in uplifting our immigrant com-
for signing it into law.” speak a different language or munities.”
Ass emblywoman Nily Rozic communicate through sign lan-
said, “Navigating healthcare guage—has the right to be seen, (Continued on page 9)