Several healthcare groups told a Texas federal judge that changes to the Biden administration’s updated public charge rule may cause immigrants to not apply for needed Medicaid benefits. The organizations, including the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society, stated a change may cause confusion and fear in immigrants’ efforts to access needed healthcare.

Texas continues to pursue the overturn of the Biden 2022 rule that ended the Trump administration’s public charge policy. Under the Trump policy, individuals seeking immigration benefits in the U.S. had to meet certain financial standards to ensure they did not apply for public resources once in the country. Reinstating the Trump-era policy, the organizations state, immigrant communities will not have sufficient access to immunizations, treatment for known and unknown conditions, and illnesses will advance, causing worse outcomes not only in the individual’s health but a higher cost on a systemic level.

Further, the ten groups noted various studies that showed almost 28% of low-income immigrant families stated they or their family members declined non-cash benefits, like Medicaid. The number of uninsured children in the U.S. rose by over 300,000 while the Trump rule was being considered. This was the largest annual increase in the U.S., with Texas having the highest increase in uninsured children, per a study from Georgetown University.

The Biden administration is challenging the court to end Texas’ lawsuit on the basis of having no proof that the 2022 change impacted the state’s costs.

ILBSG continues to actively monitor ongoing legal actions that may affect individuals seeking immigration benefits to the U.S. If you have questions about any immigration-related issue, contact us. We work with our clients in their particular situations to ensure they get the right advice.

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