Assemblymember Roth champions AB 395 for Deaf healthcare access in Nevada

The Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services convened on March 26, 2025, to discuss Assembly Bill 395, which aims to enhance healthcare access for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. The meeting began with a brief recess before Assemblymember Erica Roth presented the bill, emphasizing the critical need for sign language interpreters in medical settings to improve communication and health outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Roth highlighted that many deaf individuals face significant barriers in accessing healthcare due to inadequate communication services. She noted that effective communication can lead to better preventative care, increased patient satisfaction, and improved overall health outcomes. The bill seeks to address these disparities by ensuring that healthcare providers offer appropriate language services.

Shelly Fried, representing the Las Vegas Deaf Seniors, shared personal experiences illustrating the challenges faced by deaf patients in hospitals. She recounted her own difficulties during a hospital visit following a bicycle accident, where she was not provided with adequate communication options, leading to frustration and inadequate care. Fried stressed the importance of having interpreters available, as many deaf individuals do not have the same level of education or English proficiency.

Eric Wilcox, chair of the Nevada Commission for Persons who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, also spoke in support of the bill. He noted that the commission frequently hears from community members about their struggles with communication in healthcare settings. Wilcox emphasized the need for systemic changes to ensure that deaf individuals receive the same quality of care as their hearing counterparts.

The committee members engaged in discussions about the implications of the bill, focusing on the necessity of implementing effective communication strategies in healthcare facilities. The testimonies presented underscored the urgency of addressing these disparities to improve health outcomes for the deaf and hard of hearing community.

As the meeting concluded, the committee acknowledged the importance of AB 395 and its potential to create meaningful change in healthcare accessibility for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Further discussions and potential amendments to the bill are expected in future sessions, as stakeholders continue to advocate for improved communication access in Nevada's healthcare system.