OAKLAND, CA, January 27, 2020 – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a lower court’s injunction blocking the implementation of the public charge rule. Marking a significant and harmful departure from current practice, this policy can now take effect nationwide, with the exception of Illinois, pending a final determination by the courts on the rule’s legality. Under this policy, some immigrants and their families who access public benefits to which they are legally entitled could face adverse consequences when applying to change their immigration status. The Department of Homeland Security has not yet issued an implementation date.
“We are deeply disappointed with the Supreme Court’s ruling today,” said Erica Murray, CEO and President of the California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (CAPH). “As the state’s core safety net providers, public health care systems remain committed to serving all individuals, regardless of immigration status, and providing a safe place to receive care.”
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About California’s Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (CAPH)
The California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (CAPH) represents California’s 21 public health care systems, which include county-affiliated systems and the five University of California academic medical centers. Together, these systems form the core of the state’s health care safety net. Though accounting for just 6% of hospitals in the state, the public health care systems operate in 15 counties where more than 80% of the state’s population lives. They provide 40% of all hospital care to California’s remaining uninsured and 35% of all hospital care to Medi-Cal beneficiaries in the communities they serve. These 21 health care systems serve 2.85 million patients annually, operate more than 200 outpatient clinic facilities, and provide more than 11.5 million outpatient visits each year. They operate more than half of California’s top-level burn and trauma centers, and train more than half of all new doctors in the state. For more information, visit www.caph.org.
Media Contact:
Megan Renfrew
CAPH Director of Communications
510-874-7116
mrenfrew@caph.org