FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement attributable to:
Beth Feldpush, DrPH
Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy
America’s Essential Hospitals
WASHINGTON — We thank the administration for withdrawing damaging changes to the public charge definition that threatened health care access for millions of people legally in this country and undermined the stability of hospitals that provide their care.
The 2019 changes to the public charge definition had a chilling effect, causing people to forgo medical treatment for fear of putting their immigration status at risk. It was bad policymaking that not only put the health of immigrants at risk but increased costs for providers and taxpayers and jeopardized the nation’s response to COVID-19.
With the roll back of this rule, we must rebuild trust in immigrant communities through education and outreach to overcome fears that access to needed health care services could come at the cost of remaining in this country.
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About America’s Essential Hospitals
America’s Essential Hospitals is the leading champion for hospitals and health systems dedicated to high-quality care for all, including the most vulnerable. We support our more than 300 members with advocacy, policy development, research, and education. Communities depend on essential hospitals to provide specialized, lifesaving services; train the health care workforce; advance public health and health equity; and coordinate care. Essential hospitals innovate and adapt to lead the way to more effective and efficient care. Learn more at essentialhospitals.org.
Contact:
Carl Graziano
cgraziano@essentialhospitals.org
202.585.0102
