Studies estimate impact of DHS proposal on children with health needs

Between 700,000 and 1.7 million children in need of medical attention would likely leave the Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program under a Department of Homeland Security proposed rule because they live with at least one noncitizen adult, according to a study released today by the California Health Care Foundation. Published Oct. 10, the proposed rule would add Medicaid, the Medicare Part D low-income subsidy, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps) and select housing programs to the public benefit programs that can contribute to a “public charge” determination, which prevents noncitizens from becoming legal permanent residents. The study estimates that 4.8 million children in need of medical attention are enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP and live with a noncitizen adult. Another recent study from the Kaiser Family Foundation estimates more than 14 million Medicaid or CHIP enrollees live with at least one noncitizen, and between 2.1 million and 4.9 million of them would disenroll under the proposed rule. Although CHIP was not included as a public benefit in the proposed rule, DHS requested comment on its inclusion.