AHA calls on DHS to withdraw proposal to expand ‘public charge’ rule

AHA today urged the Department of Homeland Security to withdraw a proposed rule that could limit legal immigrants’ future immigration status if they receive benefits from Medicaid, the Medicare Part D low-income subsidy, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or select housing programs. “Hospitals have long served as leaders in their communities by connecting individuals and families to needed public programs, thereby allowing them to maintain their health and wellbeing in order to remain productive members of their communities,” AHA said in comments submitted to the agency. “The policies proposed by this rule are contrary to this hospital mission of service to vulnerable members of our society. If adopted millions of individuals would be at risk for loss of coverage – consequently putting hospital payments in jeopardy. This loss of coverage would inevitably lead to poor health outcomes for legal immigrant communities and greater financial strain for the hospitals that serve them.”