Do you support the Affordable Care Act? When the law first passed, we added this question to our community assessments, which typically poll respondents about their health related habits and needs, with questions like: When was the last time you were screened for chronic disease (heart disease, diabetes, cancer, etc.) or what would motivate you to get screened? What concerns do you and your family have – about everything from nutrition and obesity to teenage pregnancy and childhood vaccinations?

According to news from the Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, Latinos are more likely to distrust the medical community and the health care system due to past experiences of discriminatory treatment or ineffective care.

Understanding the 2,000-plus page Affordable Care Act (ACA) is daunting for anyone. Imagine the challenges faced by insurers and states with potential clients who have language barriers. In California, where Blacks, Latinos and Asians are 60 percent of the population and 75 percent of uninsured people, language skills and cultural competence are critical.