This summary about how immigrants access healthcare was featured in Documented’s Early Arrival newsletter. You can subscribe to receive it in your inbox three times per week here.
About 37% of nearly 500 immigrants surveyed across six neighborhoods in New York City said they needed to access healthcare in the last 12 months but did not receive it, according to newly released research from the Center for Migration Studies.
Several factors contributed to their inability to receive care. Most frequently named were a lack of health insurance, inability to take time off due to work, childcare, or other responsibilities, and inability to afford care; 29% of respondents said they had reduced spending on necessities including food to afford health care.
Immigrants also reported discrimination when seeking healthcare, with most saying they faced racial discrimination followed by discrimination based on nationality or citizenship.
Health care service providers had a different view: The research also surveyed 24 service providers including community health clinics, health-focused community-based organizations, and hospitals that work with immigrants. They were more likely to report linguistic and cultural barriers as primary reasons immigrants do not seek care, while immigrants themselves were more concerned about cost.
Some immigrants did also report linguistic barriers and discrimination when seeking health care.
Many immigrants haven’t heard of NYC Care: The New York City program which provides low- to no-cost healthcare for residents who do not qualify or cannot afford health insurance has provided a satisfactory service for most immigrants, the report’s findings show.
However, only 29% of the uninsured immigrant survey respondents had heard of NYC Care. The report suggests that additional outreach may be needed.
Closing the native-immigrant health gap: New York should pass the Coverage For All bill (A880/S1527), the Center for Migration Studies recommends in the report.
The bill includes $345 million in funding for a program that would provide health care coverage for 150,000 low-income New Yorkers who currently cannot access health insurance due to immigration status.
Other recommendations from the report include directing city agencies and mayoral offices, community health clinics, and health-focused and community-based organizations to more actively promote NYC Care.
Read the full report here.
STORIES WE ARE FOLLOWING
New York
Make the Road New York secures $72,000 settlement against NYPD:
The group filed a complaint against three Queens NYPD precincts two years ago for not providing language interpretation to non-English speakers. — QNS
$5 million allocated for community interpretation bank for African, Asian, Latin American limited diffusion languages:
New York City Council member Julie Won announced on Monday that the fund will help advance language access to immigrant New Yorkers. — Read more
Editorial note: Apologies, Friday’s newsletter included an old copy
and incorrect link to this story due to an editing error.
Latino candidates, electorate key in NY lieutenant governor’s race:
More than 1 in 8 New York registered voters will be Latino, and the statewide races for lieutenant governor and comptroller will include prominent Latino candidates. — NALEO
Around the U.S.
Pima County Medical Examiner rules Border Patrol agent committed homicide in death of Mexican national:
Abigail Roman Aguilar died after a “use of force” incident involving a CBP agent in Douglas in May. — Read summary findings from a forensic pathologist’s report
Afghans face major challenges after fleeing to U.S. — a stark contrast to arriving Ukrainians:
Of the 4,180 Afghan humanitarian parole applications so far decided, roughly 93% were denied. Similar applications from Ukrainians have moved faster. — The San Diego Union-Tribune (Paywall)
Border Patrol agents force some asylum seekers to abandon pets
Some organizations are stepping in when pet owners are detained and jailed at the southern border and forced to leave their pets behind.— Washington Examiner
Massachusetts GOP seeks repeal of new state law letting immigrants get driver’s licenses:
Critics say the law implies credentials will be issued without verifying immigrants’ identities, even though immigrants need some kind of ID to apply. — AP News
CBP investigating unofficial challenge coin depicting Haitian migrant incident:
Agency spokesperson Luis Miranda said the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating whether or not it is being sold by anyone at CBP, and will take action if so. — CNN
Washington D.C.
3 migrants kidnapped after being enrolled in revamped “Remain in Mexico:”
The Biden administration tried to end the program but was blocked in court — an issue the Supreme Court will address soon. — Reuters
