WASHINGTON — No comprendo, senor presidente.
There are indications Spanish speakers aren’t signing up for ObamaCare in hoped-for numbers, with language barriers, deficient sites and a digital gap seen as likely reasons.
In California, where the state health exchange has a Spanish site, only 5 percent of enrollees signed up in Spanish, NBC reported. The state’s population is 38 percent Hispanic, but many speak English.
The feds delayed the launch of their Spanish-language site, CuidadoDeSalud.gov, until December. It appeared to be running on Friday.
New York, which operates its own health exchange, doesn’t have a Spanish site, though certain pages are available in Spanish.
People who click on a “language” tab are directed in Spanish to a call center with Spanish-speaking operators.
The state offers fact sheets and posters in Spanish on its site. But the single-page fact sheets are listed by their English titles, such as “Why you need health insurance.”