HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

Federal Public Charge Changes Statement: 3.15.21

State Health and Human Services Leaders Issue Joint Statement on Federal Public Charge Changes

SACRAMENTO – California’s health and human services leaders today issued the following joint statement on the Biden Administration’s announcement that it will no longer enforce the 2019 public charge final rule.

Joint statement from California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly; California Department of Social Services Director Kim Johnson; California Department of Public Health Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón; and California Department of Health Care Services Director Will Lightbourne:

“Immigrants and their loved ones across California can seek and accept medical care, food assistance and public housing without fear or confusion, thanks to changes in federal policy. They won’t be forced to choose between getting help for basic needs and their ability to stay with their families in the United States."

To immigrant families in California, we want you to know that California fought to end this shameful policy and you should continue to use available public services that help you and your family thrive and be healthy.

Remember that medical testing, treatment and preventative services for COVID-19, including vaccines, will not be considered for public charge purposes. If you have questions, you can find a list of nonprofit organizations providing legal immigration services on the California Department of Social Services website.

To providers across California administering health and social services programs, thank you! We are grateful for all you do to ensure that everyone has access to basic services. Your efforts further our collective work to build a healthy, vibrant, and inclusive California for All.”

For more information on federal changes to the public charge rule click here.

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The following statement is from Jacey Cooper, State Medicaid Director and DHCS Chief Deputy Director for Health Care Programs:

“We welcome the federal decision to stop treating Medi-Cal as a public charge. Diseases, including deadly pandemics like COVID-19, ignore borders and legal distinctions between people, so it’s in everyone’s best interest that all individuals get the care they need.”

"Public Charge"Update

Important Change to Federal Public Charge Rule

Immigrants and their loved ones across California can seek and accept medical care, food assistance and public housing without fear or confusion about public charge consequences, thanks to changes in federal policy.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has stated that it will return to using policies in place before the 2019 Public Charge Final Rule. Check the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services webpage on Public Charge for updates.

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Immigrant and Refugee Support

Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants (CERI)

Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants (CERI) is a nonprofit organization based in Oakland with a mission to improve the social, emotional, psychological, economic, and physical health of refugees and immigrants from Southeast Asia affected by war, torture, genocide or other forms of extreme trauma.

Over the last two decades, CERI has gradually built deep bonds of trust with its client population, encouraging clients to take an active role in their own healing and in supporting others in their community to heal.

Contact: (510) 444–1671 info@cerieastbay.org

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Newcomers Health Program

Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants (CERI)

Newcomers Health Program: Refugee and Immigrant Services

For information and appointments:

(415) 206 8608

Newcomers.health@sfdph.org

About the Program

For Refugees, Asylees, and Immigrants

The Newcomers Health Program is a clinic and community-based health program with the mission to promote the health and well-being of refugees, asylees, and immigrants throughout San Francisco.

We collaborate with health centers, clinics, community-based organizations, and public health programs to respond to the health and social needs of asylee, refugee and immigrant communities.

A Community Effort

Newcomers Health Program is a program of the San Francisco Department of Public Health implemented in collaboration with the International Institute of the Bay Area, and Family Health Center’s Refugee Medical Clinic. Through these and other collaborations, and a range of clinic- and community-based programs and services, we promote the health and well-being of refugees and immigrants in San Francisco.

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Health Initiative of The Americas

Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants (CERI)

Health Initiative of The Americas

Founder : Xóchitl Castañeda

Contact: Liliana Osorio
Director
E-mail Liliana

The Health Initiative of the Americas (HIA) at the University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health, is considered one of the world’s leading programs on health and migration.

Established in 2001, HIA works binationally with Latin American governments and public and private institutions, agencies, as well as with grassroots organizations in the U.S. to improve health outcomes, address health inequities, enhance the cultural competency of health care personnel, and put innovative strategies into action to address unmet health needs of the migrant population through its diverse programs.

BLOG

ARTogether.org

Health Initiative of The Americas

Art plays a special role in the refugee community. It invites conversation, laughter, storytelling and a sense of belonging. At the community level, it has a unique ability to bring people together, to draw together people from different backgrounds and forge connections through creativity and self-expression. Finally, art transcends the spoken word, allowing people to communicate and express themselves without the burden of language barriers.

Black & Refugee Coalition-Building Project

Contact: Leva Zand, Executive Director (510) 545-2787

Oakland, CA

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Sonoma Immigrant Services

Sonoma Immigrant Services' mission is to empower the community

through education and accessible legal services

Nuestra misión es empoderar a nuestra comunidad a través

de la educación y servicios legales accesibles

info@sonomaimmigrant.org

(707) 996-6669

18360 Sonoma Highway

Sonoma, CA. 95476

Hmong Cultural Center of Butte County

Hmong Cultural Center of Butte County:

Ge Yang Program Manager 530-534-7474 ext. 104 gyang@hmongculturalcenter.net

Luv Her Promotores Family Specialist 530-534-7474 ext. 109 her@hmongculturalcenter.net

Promotores, Txhawb

Uses strengths based approach to empower families when delivering services.

Immigration - Refugee Mental Health Advocacy

Immigrants and Refugees Stakeholder Advocacy (IMM-REF) is funded through the Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) to provide local-level advocacy, training and education, and outreach and engagement to the Southeast Asian Immigrants and Refugees in Butte and Shasta Counties regarding mental health.

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