Immigrants’ Access to Health Care

Immigrants account for 20 percent of the uninsured. There are many reasons for immigrants' lack of coverage, but the welfare reform law of 1996 was significant in restricting Medicaid eligibility for certain immigrant populations. The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured has produced new reports on immigrant health care: a chart pack highlighting statistics and a policy brief discussing the legal status of Medicaid eligibility. An issue paper summarizing the findings of immigrant focus groups in four cities will be posted soon.

• Policy Brief: Medicaid Eligibility and Citizenship Status: Policy Implications for Immigrant Populations
• Report: Immigrants' Health Care: Coverage and Access