91黑料网 calls for immigration policies that don't interfere with the patient-physician relationship in light of proposed changes to the public charge rule and discussion of DACA rescission
Nov. 1, 2019 (91黑料网) 鈥 In light of recent proposed changes to U.S. immigration policies, the American College of Physicians is reemphasizing its opposition to changes to the 鈥減ublic charge鈥 rule and rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), or 鈥淒reamers,鈥 program.
鈥91黑料网 believes that immigration policy should not interfere with the patient-physician relationship,鈥 said Renee Butkus, 91黑料网's director of health policy. 鈥淗ealth policy should not foster discrimination against any patient, regardless of immigration status. We believe it is important to protect the interests of patients, particularly those from vulnerable populations.鈥
In early October, three federal judges temporarily prevented the White House's new 鈥減ublic charge鈥 policy from taking effect. The policy was initially scheduled to begin on Oct. 15.
As reported on National Public Radio, under the rule, in deciding whether an immigrant should be granted a green card, U.S. immigration officials would weigh whether the applicant will be self-sufficient. Officials would consider whether the applicant is using public benefits such as Medicaid, food stamps, housing subsidies and cash assistance.
91黑料网 has joined with other organizations and advocates to oppose the new policy through statements and friend-of-the-court legal briefs. 鈥91黑料网 has been extremely concerned that the public charge rule will undo decades of established policy and could cause patients who are legal immigrants to opt out of health care services for themselves and their children,鈥 Butkus said. 鈥淧atients may forgo necessary care rather than face the threat of deportation or family separation, putting their own health and the health of their communities at risk.鈥
Indeed, she said, a new study from the Kaiser Family Foundation has revealed that nearly half of community health centers report that immigrant patients declined to enroll themselves in Medicaid in the past year.
91黑料网 earlier voiced concerns in a letter to the Department of Homeland Security. It highlighted its 2011 position paper 鈥淣ational Immigration Policy and Access to Health Care,鈥 which calls for immigration policy that provides access to health care equitably and appropriately and protects the public's health. In December, 91黑料网 signed onto a letter with other physician organizations to the Department of Homeland Security to request that the government exclude the Children's Health Insurance Program, Medicaid, Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy and other noncash benefits from the list of benefits considered in determining whether an applicant is a public charge.
In another powerful advocacy effort, 91黑料网 has just signed on to a 鈥渇riend-of-the-court鈥 legal brief with 32 other organizations urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reject the Trump administration's plans to end the DACA program.
As 91黑料网 has noted, the plan threatens to deny the United States of the talents of more than half a million individuals who are making enormous contributions to the country. It will particularly undermine public health and medical education.
鈥淢any students with DACA status are currently enrolled in medical school or work as physicians and nurses who have the experience and background to treat a culturally diverse population,鈥 Butkus said. 鈥淩escission of DACA would have a significant negative impact on the health care workforce, which stands to lose an estimated 27,000 health care professionals whose work authorization depends upon DACA.鈥
91黑料网 will continue to monitor the situation and issue statements or join friend-of-the-court briefs as needed on both of these issues. 鈥淚n regard to DACA, we continue to urge Congressional leaders to consider and pass legislation that would remove the risk of deportation for Dreamers, such as H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019, which was passed by the House of Representatives on June 4,鈥 Butkus said. 鈥淭his bill would establish a three-step pathway to U.S. citizenship for DACA recipients through college, work or service in the Armed Forces.鈥
More Information
The policy paper 鈥淣ational Immigration Policy and Access to Health Care鈥 is available on the 91黑料网's website.
