Changes to Public Charge Rule - California Health Care Foundation

Changes to Public Charge Rule
On October 10, 2018, the Department of Homeland Security proposed radical changes to “public charge” rules in an effort to disqualify many immigrants from gaining permanent residency in the US. The government finalized the rule on August 12. This collection highlights the potential impact that the changes could have on the ability of immigrants to access the health care they need.

External Resource

Final Federal Rule on Immigrants and Public Charge: Fact Sheet

On August 12, 2019, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security released the final rule on “public charge,” which will likely increase the number of uninsured in California. ITUP summarizes the final rule alongside existing federal law related to public charge and health care programs. The fact sheet also assesses the potential impacts on immigrant access to health care in California.

CHCF Blog

The Final Public Charge Rule Is Out. Here’s How It Affects Immigrants.

August 16, 2019

Billy Wynne, Dawn Joyce

Medi-Cal

The government has finalized immigration restrictions, creating a preference for wealthy, English-speaking, insured, and educated immigrants, while erecting hurdles for immigrants who are poor.

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How Trump’s New Rule on Immigrants Endangers Public Health

The Department of Homeland Security finalized radical changes to immigration rules that go against America’s traditional values of inclusion. The San Francisco Chronicle published this opinion piece by CHCF’s CEO Sandra R. Hernández.

External Resource

Safety Net Access in the Context of the Public Charge Rule

Insurance Coverage, Medi-Cal

This Urban Institute brief shares insights from in-depth interviews conducted in March 2019 with 25 adults in immigrant families who reported that they or a family member avoided safety net programs like Medicaid, SNAP, or housing assistance in 2018 because of immigration concerns. The study highlights fear and confusion about the proposed public charge rule, a reliance on the media for information with few people seeking professional advice, and hardship for children and adults after losing access to public supports.

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One in Seven Adults in Immigrant Families Reported Avoiding Public Benefit Programs in 2018

In this brief, the Urban Institute uses data from the December 2018 Well-Being and Basic Needs Survey to provide the first systematic documentation of the number of immigrant families avoiding public benefit programs due to fear of the pending public charge rule.

CHCF Blog

Proposed Public Charge Rule Would Hurt Californians

November 27, 2018

Sandra R. Hernández

Insurance Coverage

Federal officials recently proposed changes to the public charge rule for immigrants. The California Health Care Foundation's CEO shares key points from the public comment she filed with the federal government to explain how the rule would take the health care system backward — especially in California.

External Resource

How Would Proposed Changes to the “Public Charge” Rule Affect Your Region?

The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and Education estimates, for each California region and county, how changes to the “public charge” test could impact enrollment in Medi-Cal and/or CalFresh, jobs, economic output, and tax revenue. Use this PDF to see how your area could be affected.