The number of certified medical interpreters in Washington continues to fall, impacting health outcomes and creating a glaring language equity issue.  

Every Washingtonian deserves access to public services and healthcare in a language they can understand, regardless of the language they speak.  

WFSE will work to increase the quantity of certified medical interpreters during the 2027 legislative session while protecting the integrity of the profession. 

We’re now down to a little over 1,700 certified interpreters covering thousands and thousands of clients, and the problem is getting worse.  

There is an uproar in the healthcare community, and some of the solutions these stakeholders have considered would be harmful to our members. 

WFSE will work to increase the quantity of certified medical interpreters during the 2027 legislative session while protecting the integrity of the profession. 

WFSE has opposed efforts that would weaken interpreter standards or reduce access to qualified professionals. Family members, untrained individuals, and automated translation tools cannot reliably replace qualified interpreters in medical settings where accuracy can have life-altering consequences. 

When professional interpreters are unavailable, patients can face misunderstandings about medications, procedures, symptoms, discharge instructions, and treatment plans. These communication failures can lead to poorer health outcomes, delayed care, increased hospital utilization, and reduced trust in the healthcare system. 

Language access is a health equity issue. Qualified interpreters help ensure patients receive the same quality of care regardless of the language they speak and allow healthcare providers to make informed clinical decisions based on accurate information. 

Find all legislative priorities, links to lobby, and more on our 2027 legislative session landing page.