Health Insurance and Immigrants: Obstacles to Enrollment and Recommendations

Federal reform has the potential to extend health insurance coverage to many New Yorkers, but it largely leaves out noncitizens who are already less likely to be insured than citizens.

This NYHealth-funded study conducted by New Yorkers for Accessible Health Coverage and the New York Immigration Coalition, examines several factors contributing to high rates of uninsurance and outlines provisions to help fill the gaps that would be left by Federal health reform.

While undocumented immigrants are ineligible for public health insurance, lawful permanent residents residing in New York State are generally eligible. Concerns and misperceptions about use of public health insurance leading to public charge, sponsor liability, and disclosure of their legal status to immigration authorities prevent many eligible noncitizens from enrolling. The report offers recommendations to Federal and State policymakers to address these enrollment barriers.