Mass Medical Society Announces Opposition to “Public Charge” Proposal
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Dr. Alain A. Chaoui
The rule would make it more difficult for legal immigrants to get green cards if they have certain types of public assistance, including Medicaid, food stamps and housing subsidies.
Mass Medical Society president Dr. Alain A. Chaoui released the following statement:
"As a family physician and president of the Massachusetts Medical Society, I am fearful. As a person who legally immigrated to this great nation with my family, I am gravely concerned.
The proposed changes in rules related to families and individuals deemed a “public charge” could have disastrous consequences for the health and wellbeing of those who will be affected.
It is my belief and the unwavering policy of our organization’s 25,000 physicians and medical student members that we commit to working for the best possible health care for every patient in the Commonwealth regardless of racial identification, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, disability, immigration status, or economic status.
To be clear, no person living in the United States should ever have to defer medical treatment for fear that making use of safety net health care programs will negatively impact their immigration status or, worse yet, put in jeopardy their dreams and path to citizenship.
I can in some ways empathize with the angst and uncertainty endured by those new to this country, but I cannot fathom the fear that comes with not knowing where to turn for medical help. It would devastate me to learn that one of my patients did not receive care for no reason other than they were too scared to seek it.
The Massachusetts Medical Society will be commenting on the proposal, stands firmly in opposition and will continue to advocate doggedly to make certain it is not implemented."
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