---
title: "New Executive Order makes English the official language: What It Means for Language Access and Healthcare"
description: Arcos Institute Blog Test
---
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# New Executive Order makes English the official language: What It Means for Language Access and Healthcare
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[Prova](https://www.arcos.institute/blog-page/author/prova) March 06 2025
**New Executive Order on English: What It Means for Language Access and Healthcare**
A new **executive order (EO)** has made English the official language of the **United States**, while also revoking **Executive Order 13166**, which previously protected **language access rights** for individuals with **limited English proficiency (LEP)**. This decision raises major concerns, particularly in **healthcare**, where **language barriers** can lead to serious risks, including **misdiagnosis, medical errors, and worse health outcomes**.
**Does the Executive Order Remove Language Access Rights?**
No—**language access is still protected by law**. While this **executive order on English** changes government policy, it does **not override federal laws** like:
- **Title VI of the Civil Rights Act**, which prohibits discrimination based on **national origin**, including **language barriers** in federally funded programs[1](https://word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/wordeditorframe.aspx?WOPISrc=https://wopi.dropbox.com/wopi/files/oid_17497610561038343168&cloud_editor=word&dl=0&rlkey=8wrcz49sto9x52f9m8oo7q3fx&ui=en-us&wdPid=15e84c53#user-content-fn-1).
- **Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act**, which ensures **LEP patients** have access to **interpreting services** and translated materials in healthcare settings[2](https://word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/wordeditorframe.aspx?WOPISrc=https://wopi.dropbox.com/wopi/files/oid_17497610561038343168&cloud_editor=word&dl=0&rlkey=8wrcz49sto9x52f9m8oo7q3fx&ui=en-us&wdPid=15e84c53#user-content-fn-2).
Because these laws are **statutes**, an executive order **cannot cancel them**—only **Congress** has the power to change them[3](https://word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/wordeditorframe.aspx?WOPISrc=https://wopi.dropbox.com/wopi/files/oid_17497610561038343168&cloud_editor=word&dl=0&rlkey=8wrcz49sto9x52f9m8oo7q3fx&ui=en-us&wdPid=15e84c53#user-content-fn-3).
****
**How Will This Executive Order Affect Healthcare for LEP Individuals?**
While **hospitals, clinics, and federally funded health programs** are **still legally required** to provide **language assistance services**, the executive order **could create confusion**. Some key concerns include:
- **LEP patients** may hesitate to request **interpreting services**, fearing they are no longer available.
- **Healthcare providers** might misunderstand the order and reduce **language support services**.
- **Government agencies** are no longer required to translate documents but **can continue doing so** if they choose.
**Why Language Access in Healthcare Matters**
Research has proven that **language barriers in healthcare** lead to **worse health outcomes** for **LEP patients**. Studies show that **professional medical interpreters improve patient care**, reducing **errors, hospital readmissions, and mortality rates**[4](https://word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/wordeditorframe.aspx?WOPISrc=https://wopi.dropbox.com/wopi/files/oid_17497610561038343168&cloud_editor=word&dl=0&rlkey=8wrcz49sto9x52f9m8oo7q3fx&ui=en-us&wdPid=15e84c53#user-content-fn-4). **In other words, professional language services are essential for safe and effective healthcare.**
**What Can Be Done?**
- **Healthcare organizations** should continue to follow **federal law** and provide **interpreting and translation services**.
- **LEP individuals** should be aware that their **language rights** are still protected under **Title VI** and **Section 1557**.
- **Advocacy efforts** are needed to ensure that **language access in healthcare** remains a priority.
**Final Thoughts: Language Access is Still the Law**
Although the **executive order on English** changes **government policies**, it **does not override federal laws** that **require language access** in healthcare.
✔ **Title VI and Section 1557 remain in effect** and **cannot be overturned** by an executive order[1](https://word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/wordeditorframe.aspx?WOPISrc=https://wopi.dropbox.com/wopi/files/oid_17497610561038343168&cloud_editor=word&dl=0&rlkey=8wrcz49sto9x52f9m8oo7q3fx&ui=en-us&wdPid=15e84c53#user-content-fn-1)[2](https://word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/wordeditorframe.aspx?WOPISrc=https://wopi.dropbox.com/wopi/files/oid_17497610561038343168&cloud_editor=word&dl=0&rlkey=8wrcz49sto9x52f9m8oo7q3fx&ui=en-us&wdPid=15e84c53#user-content-fn-2).
✔ **HHS regulations**, including those for **Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA marketplace plans**, still require **language assistance**[3](https://word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/wordeditorframe.aspx?WOPISrc=https://wopi.dropbox.com/wopi/files/oid_17497610561038343168&cloud_editor=word&dl=0&rlkey=8wrcz49sto9x52f9m8oo7q3fx&ui=en-us&wdPid=15e84c53#user-content-fn-3).
✔ **Hospitals and healthcare providers** must continue **interpreting services** for LEP patients.
This executive order may cause uncertainty, but **language access remains a legal right**—and ensuring **effective communication in healthcare** is critical for **public health and safety**.
**HHS - Limited English Proficiency**: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/special-topics/limited-english-proficiency/index.html [↩](https://www.arcos.institute/blog-page/new-executive-order-makes-english-the-official-language#user-content-fnref-1) [↩2](https://www.arcos.institute/blog-page/new-executive-order-makes-english-the-official-language#user-content-fnref-1-2)
**ACA Section 1557 Protections**: https://www.healthcare.gov/section-1557-protections [↩](https://www.arcos.institute/blog-page/new-executive-order-makes-english-the-official-language#user-content-fnref-2) [↩2](https://www.arcos.institute/blog-page/new-executive-order-makes-english-the-official-language#user-content-fnref-2-2)
**What Executive Orders Can and Cannot Do**: https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/what-is-an-executive-order-and-how-does-it-work [↩](https://www.arcos.institute/blog-page/new-executive-order-makes-english-the-official-language#user-content-fnref-3) [↩2](https://www.arcos.institute/blog-page/new-executive-order-makes-english-the-official-language#user-content-fnref-3-2)
**Study on Medical Interpreters and Health Outcomes**: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17362215/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17362215/) [↩](https://www.arcos.institute/blog-page/new-executive-order-makes-english-the-official-language#user-content-fnref-4)
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