CA insurers must now provide interpreters

Legislation requiring California medical, dental, and specialty insurers to provide members with interpreters took effect January 1 -- six years after originally being signed into law, the Sacramento Bee reports.

Of the 37 million people living in California, more than 40% speak a language other than English, and one-fifth of the population say they cannot speak English "very well," according to the Bee.

The legislation (AB 853) was signed into law in 2003, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger imposed a moratorium on it when he took office. Insurers had expressed concern about how to balance the need for access to care with cost.

Insurers estimate that the law will cost about $25 million. Many insurers plan to contract out for interpretation services, according to the news story.