Thread by @morethanmySLE

State officials are concerned that the proposed federal PUBLIC CHARGE rule could increase the uninsured rate, which would have a NEGATIVE financial impact and increase health programs’ administrative burden.

Here's how & why YOU must advocate against it before 12/10! THREAD 1/15

@DHSgov has proposed significant changes to public charge determination policies that would affect the immigration status of certain individuals. The concept of determining an immigrant a public charge has been a provision in US immigration policies since the late 1800s. 2/15

Currently, individuals can be prevented from entering the US or denied lawful permanent residence if they are determined to be a “public charge” based on their enrollment in cash assistance programs, like #TANF, #SSI, or if they need long-term care funded by the government. 3/15

@DHSgov proposes to substantially expand the list of public assistance programs that would be considered in public charge determinations, including use of non-emergency Medicaid health coverage. 4/15

The proposal calls for the consideration of the duration of time, or number of months, that certain immigrants use #Medicaid, #SNAP, housing assistance, etc. within a 36-month period beginning on the date the rule is finalized. 5/15

Criteria used, includes an immigrant’s age, financial status, & skill set to determine if he or she meets the public charge definition. Although immigration policy is within the federal domain & the public charge determination is made by DHS, immigrants live/work in states. 6/15

States must balance multiple factors related to immigration, including their workforce needs and stabilization of health insurance markets – both private and publicly subsidized. 7/15

State officials have serious concerns about the chilling effect on enrollment, or the likelihood that individuals will either dis-enroll or not re-enroll in coverage due to the potential implication it may have on their citizenship status. 8/15

@DHS estimates Medicaid disenrollment & non-enrollment rates among individuals who would be directly subjected to the proposed rule at approximately 142,000 annually. But, state health officials & policy experts feel the broader chilling effect would be considerably greater. 9/15

@KaiserFamFound has estimated that between 2.1 and 4.9 million individuals currently enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP would dis-enroll due to the proposed rule. 10/15

files.kff.org/attachment/Iss…

Even though they not be subject to this rule change, immigrant parents may not enroll or may dis-enroll their children who are eligible from fear that their children’s participation could affect their ability to obtain a green card in the future. 11/15

If uninsured rates begin to rise due to the chilling effect on enrollment from this proposed public charge rule, states’ health care safety net systems will be significantly strained. 12/15

State officials expressed concern that this likely rise in uncompensated health care costs due to the changes associated with the proposed rule could be considerable. 13/15

Additionally, individuals without coverage may delay seeking care, which in turn could result in individuals addressing health issues only when they become urgent, which would also lead to increased health care system costs. 14/15

We must ALL comment by 12/10 to PREVENT this horrific rule!

We must help keep intact these VITAL programs for families in our communities.

If you do not want to include personal information, a friend or representative can submit a comment for you.

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protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/#take-action