Statement from Dr. Katz on Trump's Administration Public Charge Rule
Aug 12, 2019
“The public charge policy released this morning by the Trump Administration is dangerous and shortsighted. The anti-immigrant rule is intended to instill fear on thousands who are not directly impacted and could discourage more than a quarter million New Yorkers who currently receive care at NYC Health + Hospitals — including children and citizens — from continuing care to prevent illness and manage disease. It goes against everything we’re trying to do in NYC to guarantee health care for all, with dignity and respect, and create healthier communities.”
Background:
- Accessing care at NYC Health + Hospitals would not cause someone to be identified as a public charge.
- NYC Care – our recently launched health care access program for New Yorkers who are not eligible for insurance – will not be a public charge trigger.
- Medicaid is identified as a trigger of public charge, while Emergency Medicaid and Medicaid for Pregnant Women is not.
- We are directing our patients who have questions to call 212-659-6188 to get free, confidential legal services offered by our partners in LegalHealth who have lawyers on site at our hospitals.
- The public charge policy could become effective October 15, 2019. Legal challenges are expected.