Statement attributable to
Polly Anderson
Vice President of Strategy and Financing
Colorado Community Health Network (CCHN)
DENVER― The Supreme Court has allowed the final regulation on public charge, issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, to go into effect as litigation on the regulation continues. The regulation makes concerning changes to immigration policy that create barriers to health, and has already generated unnecessary fear for immigrant communities. The Supreme Court focused on the use of injunctions by trial courts, but its decision to allow the regulation to go into effect even though litigation on the substance of the regulation continues does not reduce the confusion about immigration policy or barriers to health.
Colorado Community Health Network’s mission is to increase access to high quality primary care for people in need in Colorado. Limiting the use of public programs that help individuals and families stay healthy and out of the emergency room runs contrary to CCHN’s mission and values. The rule is likely to cause individuals to avoid addressing their health care needs, ultimately resulting in worse health outcomes for themselves, their families, and their communities. In addition, the complexity of the regulation contributes to the fear immigrant communities already experience.
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To interview Ms. Anderson, please contact Maureen Maxwell at (303)913-9078 or maureen@cchn.org.
