A Conversation on Language Access in Healthcare with Bill Glasser and Dr. Richard Pan
Meaningful conversations in action. Bill Glasser, Founder of Language World, sat down with Dr. Richard Pan- pediatrician, UC Davis educator, and State Senator- to discuss healthcare, language access, and bridging critical communication gaps.
Dr. Pan speaks to the realities facing vulnerable families- those navigating healthcare systems while also managing economic hardship, immigration concerns, and structural inequities. For patients with limited English proficiency (LEP), even routine healthcare visits can become overwhelming. When instructions, diagnoses, or consent forms are not fully understood, the consequences extend beyond inconvenience. They impact safety, trust, and long-term health outcomes.
The conversation emphasizes several key themes:
- Communities already facing barriers experience compounded harm when language support is unavailable.
- Relying on family members- especially children- to interpret medical information creates ethical and safety risks.
- Policy decisions at the federal and state level directly influence whether language access is treated as a priority or an afterthought.
- True health equity requires proactive investment in professional interpretation services.
Language access becomes not just a policy issue, but a matter of child health and family stability.
As Bill Glasser notes in the discussion, building bridges in healthcare requires more than just good intentions. It requires infrastructure. Professional interpreters ensure that patients understand their diagnoses, treatment plans, and rights. They protect confidentiality. They reduce liability. And most importantly, they allow patients to fully participate in their own care.
Dr. Pan’s perspective as a pediatrician reinforces this point: children in LEP households are especially vulnerable when parents cannot fully communicate with providers.
At a time when healthcare systems are under pressure and policy conversations are evolving, this interview serves as a reminder that language access is foundational to equitable care.
Communities who are already challenged should not face an additional barrier simply because of the language they speak.
Bridging these gaps isn’t just good policy. It’s good medicine.
Thank you, Dr. Pan, for sitting down with us to share your insights and commitment to ensuring every voice is heard.