US Healthcare Access

The Uninsured Immigrant

The US Healthcare System

Immigrants – A Complex Legal Tapestry

ADULTS CHILDREN•Naturalized citizens•Lawfully Present•Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)•Refugees & asylees•Temporary legal (e.g., visas)•Unauthorized (Illegal)•Deferred Action (DACA) (DAPA suspended)

•Citizens: US born with immigrant parents•Naturalized citizens•Lawfully Present•LPRs•Refugees & asylees•Temporary legal•Deferred Action (DACA)•Unauthorized

Complicated Insurance EligibilityStatus Medicaid/CHIP Exchange/

SubsidiesMedicare

Citizen (including US born children)

Yes Yes Yes

Lawfully Present

Some, not DACA

Yes, not DACA Yes

Lawful Permanent Resident

5 year wait, except preg women & children (ICHIA)

Yes Yes

Refugee/Asylee

Yes Yes Yes

Temporary Legal

Immigrant

No Mostly Yes, not DACA

Mostly No

Unauthorized No No NoOther Key

RulesState, income, age & category

Income, other insurance

10 years Soc Sec earnings(Ku, 2016)

The Uninsured

Self Pay

Charity Care

(Churches, community

health centers)

EMTALA(Emergency Rooms,

Community Hospitals)

Private Insurance

Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton supports a path to citizenship and reform measures to improve the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Presidential nominee Donald Trump wants to sanction/deport undocumented and “build a wall.” Trump wants to repeal the ACA and replace it with “something” better. Either would be very difficult to pass in Congress without bipartisan support. Earlier bipartisan plans collapsed.Even if something moves forward, major federal expansions of health insurance for unauthorized immigrants unlikely. Too controversial and expensive.Changes at state levels more likely.

(Valverde, 2015)

Will Immigration Reform Occur?

Don’t wait to seek medical care. Apply for insurance and assistance. Information that you provide won’t be used for immigration enforcement purposes.Take care of yourself.

Bottom Line

Ku, L. (2016). Immigrants and Community Health Centers. Center for Health Policy Research. The George Washington

University: Washington, D.C.

Valverde, M. (July 2015). Compare the candidates: Clinton vs. Trump on immigration. Retrieved from http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2016/jul/15/compare-candidates-clinton-vs-trump-immigration/

References