FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 12, 2019

Contact: Stephen Eisele, (417) 848-3285

(BOSTON, MA) – Statement of Michael Miller, strategic policy director of Community Catalyst, regarding the Trump administration’s announcement of changes to the ‘public charge’ rule, which would make radical, harmful changes to how the US government determines which immigrant families can remain in the country and on a path to citizenship.

“Community Catalyst strongly condemns the Trump administration’s latest attack on immigrants and their families. The federal ‘public charge’ rule set to go into effect in 60 days, would force many immigrants to make an intolerable choice between ensuring health care, food and housing for their family, or keeping them together in this country. The change would exacerbate sickness, poverty and hunger, widen health, racial and economic disparities, and divide families and communities. It would have a particularly devastating impact on children.

“More than 266,000 comments were submitted, and hundreds of thousands of people took action to fight back against Trump’s latest attacks, coming to together from all walks of life to show their support of our immigrant friends, family and neighbors. This is but the latest in a series of steps taken by the Trump administration to threaten and punish immigrant families.

“We believe that health and well-being should be a top priority. Research shows that policies that ‘chill’ enrollment in needed services results in individuals and families forgoing vital medical or nutrition care. When children and families get sicker, the crisis compounds.

“We are a nation of immigrants, from our foundation to today, and whose contributions make the United States the great, diverse country it is today. This harsh and misguided attack on our people goes against our basic values – and harms us all. Community Catalyst joins our allies in health, education, nutrition, equity and economic opportunity as well as the medical community in vehemently opposing this change, and support efforts to ensure it never goes into effect.”

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About Community Catalyst
Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work in partnership with national, state and local organizations, policymakers, and philanthropic foundations to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, statehouses and on Capitol Hill. Headquartered in Boston, Community Catalyst has offices in Washington, DC, Atlanta, New York, Pittsburgh and St. Louis. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @HealthPolicyHub.