Thread on the long-leaked "public charge" rule that is now up for public comment. We have a short analysis up here that summarizes the rule. I wanted to into more depth here on the major health implications. familiesusa.org/product/public…
2. This rule--if finalized--would penalize LAWFUL immigrants for using a wide swath of income-based public services and programs. Below is the list from the rule. 
3. This rule was proposed a few weeks before the midterms intentionally. Clearly the White House thinks that a fight over whether legal immigrants should use income-based programs is to its political advantage. But much of our health care system is based on income-based programs.
4. Medicaid covers one in five Americans. It's a pillar that is targeted in the rule. CHIP--under consideration in this rule--enrolls another 10 million children. Even Medicare--often framed as a uniform benefit--includes major income-based elements targeted in this regulation.
5. Medicare involves significant premiums and cost-sharing. Many seniors and people with disabilities get supplemental coverage to cover these. The program has long offered reduced premiums and cost-sharing based on income. These would be targeted by the proposed rule.
6. Both the Medicare Part D "Extra Help" program and the "Medicare Savings" programs would now be grounds for denial of permanent residency. These programs, respectively, support almost 30 percent of Part D and 15 percent of total Medicare enrollment.
7. People on fixed incomes low enough to qualify for these subsidies who don't get them will simply not sign up for Medicare. We get stories at Families USA of people who do not sign up for Medicare Part b and Part D because of cost even WITH these subsidies.
8. For many--most--lawful immigrants, this rule is not saying don't use welfare if you want to stay; it is saying don't have health insurance, which really means don't use most of our health care system. Please comment if you can. End thread.
