Health Advocates Cry Foul Over Public Charge Rule

by Eric Galatas

Health care advocates are warning that a new rule proposed by the Trump administration could effectively block children’s access to health, dental and mental services.
The rule would make it easier to deny immigrants legal status by expanding the definition of what it means to be a public charge, or dependent on government programs.
Sarah McAfee, director of communications at Center for Health Progress, says the move already is having a chilling effect, and notes many families with U.S. citizen children have stopped accessing health care.
“Parents are afraid to enroll in any of these public benefit programs, and so it is already having an impact on children’s health, which has long-term impacts on their future,” she states.
McAfee says parents’ and children’s health are inextricably linked, because children are far more likely to get care if their parents have coverage.
She adds it’s critical for children to have regular access to pediatricians and says early life relationships with caregivers help lay a foundation for healthy development as children get older.

“Immigrants contribute enormous amounts to our culture, to our economy, to our communities. They pay much more in tax dollars than they use in public benefits.”
Sarah McAfee, Center for Health Progress

McAfee says safety net programs such as Medicaid are important investments, because when health care needs go unmet, it makes it a lot harder for children to grow up to be healthy, contributing adults.
“Immigrants contribute enormous amounts to our culture, to our economy, to our communities,” she stresses. “They pay much more in tax dollars than they use in public benefits.”
The public charge rule would primarily impact documented immigrants and their families, as people without documentation are not eligible for most government programs.
McAfee says her group and others are encouraging people concerned about the rule’s potential impact on children to submit comments at https://www.regulations.gov. Comments must be received before Dec. 10.

Public News Service – CO

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