About
Setu Health is a nonprofit dedicated to helping newcomers to the U.S. navigate the complexities of the healthcare system with confidence and ease. Through personalized tools, multilingual resources, and one-on-one guidance, we empower individuals to access the care they deserve.
Our Story
It started with a sharp pain—an urgent need for care in an unfamiliar system. Our founder, newly arrived from Canada, assumed they would be prepared. Both countries seemed similar enough, but navigating the U.S. healthcare system was a completely different experience. Insurance forms, unclear billing practices, and endless phone calls turned a medical issue into a source of stress and confusion.
If it felt this overwhelming for someone with relative familiarity, what must it be like for those arriving from entirely different systems, languages, and cultures?
"Setu"
The name “Setu” means bridge in Sanskrit, symbolizing our mission to connect newcomers with the care they need. A bridge represents understanding, guidance, and connection—qualities essential for navigating something as complex and personal as healthcare.
Just as a bridge spans a gap, Setu Health works to close the divide between newcomers and the healthcare system, ensuring that everyone, regardless of where they come from, can access care with confidence and clarity.
Our Dual Objectives
The challenges newcomers face reflect the larger issue of a healthcare system that is difficult for many to navigate. By 2030, we will use the insights from our work to inform policies and create tools that simplify access to care for at least 2 million people. Through partnerships with organizations and community leaders, we aim to make the system clearer and more user-friendly for those who need it most.
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Improve System Access and Understanding
Many newcomers struggle because the healthcare system isn’t designed to meet them where they are. By 2030, we will train and place 5,000 advocates—students, professionals, and volunteers—to act as liaisons, ensuring that individual struggles are addressed and systemic blind spots are highlighted. This grassroots approach will create a feedback loop that helps the system adapt to the needs of all patients.
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