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From Military Service to Civilian Life, Communication Should Never Be a Barrier
After serving their country, veterans deserve nothing less than full and fair access to the care and benefits they’ve earned. Yet for hundreds of thousands of veterans and family members with limited English proficiency (LEP), language remains a hidden barrier that can delay healthcare, hinder benefit claims, and make navigating vital services difficult.
According to the Migration Policy Institute (2022), roughly one in four immigrant veterans report speaking English less than “very well.” With more than 18 million U.S. veterans nationwide, that translates to an estimated 400,000–600,000 veterans who may face real language barriers when seeking VA care or benefits. The VA’s 2023 Veteran Enrollee Survey found that about 5% of enrolled veterans speak a language other than English at home — highlighting the growing linguistic diversity of the veteran community and the importance of ensuring language access for all.
Why Many Veterans Have LEP
The U.S. military has long reflected the nation’s rich mix of backgrounds and cultures, including the contributions of immigrants. Since World War II, the U.S. military has allowed lawful permanent residents (green card holders), not just citizens, to enlist. Over half a million veterans were born outside the United States, many from countries where English isn’t the primary language. Others served as allies or interpreters in conflict zones before gaining citizenship.
Many veterans live in multilingual communities or come from refugee backgrounds where English learning was limited. The result: a significant number of veterans and families who have served this nation with honor still face barriers when navigating healthcare and benefits because of language access gaps.
Every Veteran Deserves to Be Heard in Any Language
For thousands of Veterans and their families, navigating healthcare, benefits, or legal support can already be overwhelming. But for those with limited English proficiency (LEP), every appointment, form, or phone call can become a barrier to the care and recognition they’ve earned.
Across the country, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides free interpreter and translation services to ensure equitable access. Yet as the Veteran community becomes more diverse with growing numbers of Spanish, Tagalog, Korean, Dari, and Arabic speaking Veterans, the need for high-quality language support continues to grow.
That’s where professional language service providers like Bromberg & Associates make a difference. As a NASPO ValuePoint Supplier Partner, Bromberg helps government agencies and healthcare systems meet compliance standards while ensuring every Veteran can communicate clearly and confidently, whether through on-demand interpreting, document translation, or accessibility services such as captioning and ASL.
Language access isn’t just a legal requirement. It’s a matter of dignity, safety, and respect for those who served. When Veterans can understand their care plans, benefits, and rights, they can make informed decisions and feel truly supported in the system they helped defend.
At Bromberg & Associates, our mission is to make communication equitable, seamless, and human-centered for Veterans, healthcare providers, and public institutions nationwide.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2023 Survey of Veteran Enrollees’ Health and Use of Health Care