Today’s proposal will upend decades of existing policy and punish lawfully present immigrant families for using basic health care. This is an attack on the health of California’s communities of color, including the millions of immigrant families now forced to choose between critical life needs, such as food and medical care, and the ability to live peacefully in their adopted home state.
The proposed changes to public charge are intended to further discourage hard-working families from seeking help when they need it. Without health care, routine health problems will turn into emergencies and public health crises will only be made worse.
CPEHN joins with our partners in fighting against this proposal – which goes against our most basic values and will only exacerbate health disparities in our state. We call on our elected leaders to stand up and speak out and for Californians of conscience to join us in opposing this heartless rule.