Five on Friday: Public Charge Edition

On Monday, the new public charge rule went into effect. Although the rule affects only a narrow group of immigrants, health centers are reporting that immigrant patients are canceling health services and food assistance for which they are eligible. Many are doing so out of fear, not facts. Clinicians and health access advocates working with immigrant or migrant populations must fight back against the fear by providing clear information on who the public charge rule can affect. This week’s Five on Friday is dedicated to sharing new resources from partner organizations and advocacy groups that may be useful as we battle misinformation on public charge.

Claire shared the California Primary Care Association’s fact sheet for health center clinicians, “Public Charge Talking Points: How to Answer Patient Questions.” Claire also sent out news of a webinar on public charge specifically for outreach workers on March 11th, from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center: “Public Charge Update for Non-Legal Services Providers.”

Jillian shared Farmworker Justice’s new fact sheet: “‘Public Charge’ Final Rule – What You Need to Know.”

Candace shared a New York State-specific recorded webinar, “Preparing Health Center Staff for Public Charge Implementation.”

Del forwarded the Center for Public Policy Priorities’ updated presentation and recorded webinar, as well as fact sheets in English and Spanish, for patients in Texas.

Giovanni shared the tools from KeepYourBenefitsCA.org in English, TusBeneficiosPublicos.org in Spanish, or https://www.keepyourbenefitsca.org/zh-hans in simplified Chinese, for California patients.

Weekly Win: It’s hard to feel there can be much of a ‘win’ in the new public charge rule -- but all five of our resources today are clear wins: immigrant and migrant health advocates around the country have stepped up to provide needed resources and help clinicians improve communication to reduce the “chilling effect” that the rule has had. Let us know what resources are working best in your community and why by emailing Claire at chutkins-seda@migrantclinician.org.

Have a safe and healthy weekend.

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