Photo credit: the New York Times
The US Department of Health and Human Services (NHS) now classifies the Health Centre Program (Section 330 grants) as a “Federal public benefit,” which restricts Non-Qualified Aliens’ access to most services. Only emergency care, immunizations, and communicable disease treatment remain accessible to all.
HINSHAW reports that there is an operational conflict between serving all patients and federal eligibility rules: Community Health Centers and Federally-Qualified Health Centers must verify immigration status for federally funded services or risk non-compliance. There are now two conflicting mandates for Health Centers: Public Health Service Act Section 330 (obligation to serve all patients) vs the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.
The new policy is effective immediately. There is no grace period for implementation. But there is a 30-day comment period to challenge or seek clarification from HHS.
There are new administrative burdens of screening and documentation. Uncompensated care costs may rise if Health Centers serve ineligible patients
