US Healthcare Access
The Uninsured Immigrant
The US Healthcare System
Immigrants – A Complex Legal Tapestry
ADULTS CHILDREN•Naturalized citizens•Lawfully Present•Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)•Refugees & asylees•Temporary legal (e.g., visas)•Unauthorized (Illegal)•Deferred Action (DACA) (DAPA suspended)
•Citizens: US born with immigrant parents•Naturalized citizens•Lawfully Present•LPRs•Refugees & asylees•Temporary legal•Deferred Action (DACA)•Unauthorized
Complicated Insurance EligibilityStatus Medicaid/CHIP Exchange/
SubsidiesMedicare
Citizen (including US born children)
Yes Yes Yes
Lawfully Present
Some, not DACA
Yes, not DACA Yes
Lawful Permanent Resident
5 year wait, except preg women & children (ICHIA)
Yes Yes
Refugee/Asylee
Yes Yes Yes
Temporary Legal
Immigrant
No Mostly Yes, not DACA
Mostly No
Unauthorized No No NoOther Key
RulesState, income, age & category
Income, other insurance
10 years Soc Sec earnings(Ku, 2016)
The Uninsured
Self Pay
Charity Care
(Churches, community
health centers)
EMTALA(Emergency Rooms,
Community Hospitals)
Private Insurance
Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton supports a path to citizenship and reform measures to improve the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Presidential nominee Donald Trump wants to sanction/deport undocumented and “build a wall.” Trump wants to repeal the ACA and replace it with “something” better. Either would be very difficult to pass in Congress without bipartisan support. Earlier bipartisan plans collapsed.Even if something moves forward, major federal expansions of health insurance for unauthorized immigrants unlikely. Too controversial and expensive.Changes at state levels more likely.
(Valverde, 2015)
Will Immigration Reform Occur?
Don’t wait to seek medical care. Apply for insurance and assistance. Information that you provide won’t be used for immigration enforcement purposes.Take care of yourself.
Bottom Line
Ku, L. (2016). Immigrants and Community Health Centers. Center for Health Policy Research. The George Washington
University: Washington, D.C.
Valverde, M. (July 2015). Compare the candidates: Clinton vs. Trump on immigration. Retrieved from http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2016/jul/15/compare-candidates-clinton-vs-trump-immigration/
References