On July 10, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the rescinding of a 1998 interpretation of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act (PRWORA). This new interpretation will limit access to federal public benefits - which includes the Health Center Program – for immigrant populations.
The announcement creates confusion and imposes new administrative hurdles to cost-effective patient care at a time when health centers are already facing financial and operational instability. Our health centers provide the most high-quality, preventative primary health care available.
When more people receive care at health centers, chronic disease is better managed and reliance on emergency rooms for non-emergency care decreases. In addition to supporting whole-person health, this leads to more cost-effective care that lowers federal spending. This policy will drive more people away from preventative care, make communities sicker, weaken the community health center network, and further strain emergency rooms and hospitals.
Health centers are required by federal statute and by mission to serve everyone who walks through their doors, including immigrants and seasonal workers. This policy change lies directly in contrast with that critical mission.
Let us be clear: this change will impact everyone who receives care at a health center, regardless of their citizenship status. The Washington Association for Community Health has grave concerns about this change and remains resolute in our efforts to ensure health centers can continue to deliver high-quality primary care to everyone.
