Trump Administration Moves To Weigh Medicaid Use In Green Card Reviews

According to Axios, the Trump administration on Monday laid the groundwork to weigh immigrants' use of programs such as Medicaid and CHIP when deciding whether they should receive permanent residency. The Department of Homeland Security published a new version of the public charge policy that restores broader discretion to immigration officers, reverses Biden-era limits, and says receipt of means-tested benefits including Medicaid, CHIP and SNAP can be used to assess whether green card applicants are likely to rely on government support. The policy applies to green card applications filed on or after Sept. 18. DHS estimated the change could save more than $13 billion annually through reduced transfer payments, and it acknowledged possible revenue declines for hospitals, drugmakers and medical-supply companies. Public health groups warned the move could discourage immigrant families from seeking coverage and care, while the American Academy of Pediatrics said it could leave some children without needed services.