How can states get Federal funds to help pay for language services?

Federal funding to help states and health providers pay for language services is primarily available through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Under the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA), enhanced federal funding for Medicaid and CHIP is available for state expenditures for translation or interpretation services in connection with the enrollment, retention and use of services provided under these programs by non-English speakers. CHIPRA also authorized the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to make grants to eligible entities and to conduct a National Enrollment Campaign to improve the enrollment of underserved child populations in Medicaid and CHIP, including individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) and populations with cultural and linguistic barriers to enrollment.