Illegal Farm Workers Get Health Care in Shadows

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Posted by Brenda González  May 10, 2008

Illegal Farm Workers Get Health Care in Shadows

Before working with the New Routes project, I managed the interpreter services department of a well-known physician practice here in Madison, WI. I have lived in Madison for more the 14 years and I can attest to the improvements and continued efforts to improving access for the underserved. I know it is a work-in-progress, but it speaks about how Madison is ahead of the game in narrowing the gap in health care access for all.

It seems it is not the same in Madera, California. If you are interested in knowing more about, how immigrants in this part of the nation access a parallel health care system read the full article here.

“I’ve done so many cures that I’m exhausted; it gives me no time to rest,” said Herminia L. Arenas, 55, the curandera, or traditional healer, who has practiced in this Central Valley town since migrating 14 years ago from Oaxaca, in southern Mexico. “I want to retire, but I feel like I was sent here to help these people.” By KEVIN SACK Published: May 10, 2008 New York Times. Make sure to watch the video

What is happening in your community?

Tags: CA., Madera, Mexicans, The New York Times, traditional healing
Topics: Health Care, Health Care Access, Immigrants



Comments

The Quote at the End

Submitted by Gale Petersen on May 12, 2008 - 11:44am.
Brenda--What about the quote at the end captured you? Do you feel alternative care from these kinds of traditional healers is valuable or dangerous? What's your take on this? Is there a practice of using traditional Latino healers in Madison?

Gale Petersen
Media and Technology Co-Director
  • 0 votes

It is a reality....

Submitted by Brenda González on May 13, 2008 - 5:39pm.
I can't say if it is valuable or dangerous. It just is and for some people there is no other choice. The lack of health care access has brought this to the light of mainstream media but has always been there, here in Madison and back in our countries. It was amazing to me that healers as well as doctors have the same purpose in mind: help people. Brenda González New Routes Deputy Director
  • 0 votes

Choice

Submitted by Gale Petersen on May 14, 2008 - 11:11am.
So the point is, the lack of choice is a big problem. And of course, many have no access to traditional healers, alternative medicine, or western medicine.

Gale
  • 0 votes