The Department of Homeland Security released an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to gather data and feedback on the public charge ground of inadmissibility. Public comments are due Oct. 22; DHS will host public listening sessions on Sept. 14 and Oct. 5.

A bulletin from the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services notes the withdrawal of the 2019 public charge rule and addresses states' role in safeguarding applicant and beneficiary information. The public charge rule was vacated and is no longer in effect, retroactive to March 2, 2021.

America's Essential Hospitals sent a letter to President Joe Biden and his administration detailing key priorities for essential hospitals, including issues related to structural racism, COVID-19, Medicaid, the 340B Drug Pricing Program, site-neutral payment policies, immigration, and other topics.

A new executive order calls on agencies to review public charge rules enacted under the Trump administration. Two other executive orders establish an interagency task force to reunite immigrant families and create a comprehensive regional framework to address the causes of migration.

In his first week in office, President Biden released multiple executive orders of note to essential hospitals, including those related to COVID-19, health equity and nondiscrimination, and immigration.

In its first letter to President-elect Joseph Biden and his transition team, America's Essential Hospitals noted a desire to work together to stabilize the nation's health care safety net and described several administrative policy priorities and paths of partnership.

The decision of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois marks the first time a court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs on the merits of the legal challenges to the public charge rule. DHS immediately appealed the case, allowing continued enforcement while the appeal is pending.

In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, America’s Essential Hospitals called on the department to withdraw a proposal that could affect the ability of essential hospitals to hire and retain international medical graduates in residency programs.

The change would require certain visa holders completing medical education or training to proactively apply for an extension of status toward the end of their authorized period of stay.

The decision limits a block on implementation and enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security public charge rule to only three states: Connecticut, New York, and Vermont. The nationwide injunction on the Department of State's public charge rule is still in effect.

A federal district court blocked for the duration of the public health emergency the nationwide implementation, application, and enforcement of a Department of Homeland Security rule expanding the types of public benefits immigration officials consider in making a public charge determination.

The proclamation pauses the issuance of new non-immigrant employment-based visas until Dec. 31, 2020. The suspension excludes individuals whose entry is deemed in the national interest, including those providing care to hospitalized COVID-19 patients or conducting research on the pandemic.

In a closely split decision, the Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration unlawfully terminated the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The decision allows an opportunity to rescind the program if the administration follows appropriate procedures.

An alert from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services clarifies testing, treatment, and preventive care — including a vaccine, if one becomes available — related to COVID-19 will not be considered as part of a public charge inadmissibility determination.

The Department of Homeland Security will implement its expanded definition of public charge nationwide until five district courts decide on the lawfulness of change. Meanwhile, the Department of State also will begin using the expanded definition for those seeking visas.

The Department of Homeland Security will evaluate applications for immigration benefits postmarked or submitted electronically on or after Feb. 24. The agency will not consider any newly added public benefit categories that the applicant received before Feb. 24.

DHS now can enforce the public charge rule everywhere but Illinois. The stay on the injunction will remain in place until the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit makes a final decision on the merits of the government’s appeal.

In a letter to the Department of State, America’s Essential Hospitals expressed concern that broadening the definition of public charge would harm the nation’s health care system, vulnerable patients, and state and local economies.

The agency seeks comment on a questionnaire to enforce its revised public charge standard for visa applicants. Separately, the department sought comment and emergency review of information collection to enforce the presidential proclamation suspending the entry of immigrants without health coverage.

The rule intends to align the State Department’s public charge definition with the Department of Homeland Security public charge final rule.

America’s Essential Hospitals applauded the decision, noting that the rule threatens the health of millions and the stability of essential hospitals.

The brief urges the United States Supreme Court to uphold prior rulings and reject the rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

The proclamation states that the entry of immigrants who do not obtain health insurance financially burdens the health care system.

An amicus brief filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by America's Essential Hospitals and five other national hospital associations highlights how the Department of Homeland Security public charge final rule would harm hospitals and patients.

The guidance follows a May 23 presidential memorandum calling for increased enforcement of laws related to individuals sponsoring immigration applicants.

The Department of Homeland Security finalized a proposed rule that expands the definition of “public charge” in immigration application determinations to include additional types of public benefits and new immigration applicant categories.

The final rule revises the criteria that determines whether an individual seeking to enter the country or become a lawful permanent resident could become a public charge.

In a July 9 letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, America’s Essential Hospitals expressed concern that changes to federal housing assistance eligibility requirements could increase housing instability and worsen health outcomes.

Under current law, most individuals applying to enter the country on a visa or applying for a green card must submit an affidavit of support from a sponsor residing in the United States who meets certain criteria. The memo claims these requirements are not adequately enforced.

The president signs a multibillion-dollar funding package and declares a national emergency, which now faces multiple court challenges. Two House Democrats announce plans to introduce Medicare-for-all legislation.

The Medicaid Extenders Act of 2019 heads to President Trump for approval. Meanwhile, a new bill would limit the use of Medicaid to care for undocumented immigrants.

The association urged the Department of Homeland Security to exclude nonemergency Medicaid benefits and low-income subsidies for Medicare Part D beneficiaries from the list of programs considered in public charge determinations.

America’s Essential Hospitals is closely reviewing the proposed rule from the Department of Homeland Security and evaluating its potential impact on our members. We encourage all members to review the provisions of the proposed rule, provide us feedback, and submit your own comments to the agency.

The proposal differs from a previously leaked version and expands the list of public programs for consideration in a public charge determination.

America's Essential Hospitals has compiled relevant immigration resources to inform essential hospitals about the rights of patients and providers.

The new directive applies to Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen, but the specifics vary by country.

America’s Essential Hospitals and 57 other groups say restricting admission of certain foreign nationals and refugees will disrupt care, health education, and research.

Congress must pass a homeland security spending bill this week, and health insurance marketplaces are under scrutiny as oral arguments in the King v. Burwell Supreme Court case begin.

Including trauma and drug-related bills, CHIP funding extensions, and homeland security

Also on tap is a Senate vote on homeland security funding that would bar legal status for undocumented immigrants and President Obama's 2016 budget

Also under consideration is legislation addressing human trafficking, immigration, and border security

Congress meets this week to pass Keystone Pipeline legislation and Homeland Security funding, considers immigration and veterans' mental health.

Congress must past spending legislation before Dec. 11, governors request CHIP funding extension, Cassidy defeats Landrieu.

Impact of president's recent action on immigration could complicate congressional passage of FY 2015 spending bill; leadership changes progress for key health committees in House, Senate