PRESS RELEASE
AAPCHO Condemns the Congressional Review Act Repeal of the Biden Administration Public Charge Rule
May 17, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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WASHINGTON—The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) issued the following statement condemning the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which would repeal the Biden administration public charge rule and have a detrimental impact on millions of American families.
Jeffrey B. Caballero, AAPCHO’s executive director, said:
“AAPCHO and our Member community health centers continue to fight for immigrants’ rights and have seen the chilling effects of public charge on our community. Our patients, many who are immigrants or from immigrant families, forego essential services, disenrolled from benefits for which they were eligible, or did not show up to receive necessary health care. We understand firsthand the harm it already has and will continue to cause on patients, health care staff, and broader families and communities.
“The Senate vote will perpetuate a climate of confusion and bring harm to immigrant families and communities. This vote—and a potential future vote in the House—are intentionally creating a divisive environment built on fear. As we have said many times before, no one should sacrifice their quality of life or put their loved one’s health in jeopardy out of fear of being separated from their families.
“We commend President Biden, who signaled that he will veto this bill if it comes to his desk. We condemn the CRA and urge the U.S. House of Representatives to stop this bill. AAPCHO, our Members, and partners will continue to advocate for fair policies and programs so immigrants can be assured that it is safe to go to their provider and get help for life’s essentials that they are eligible for without fear of negative consequences.”
About AAPCHO
AAPCHO is a national association of community health organizations dedicated to promoting advocacy, collaboration and leadership that improves the health status and access of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the United States, the U.S. territories, and Freely Associated States. For more information on AAPCHO, please visit www.aapcho.org.
Contact
Kristine Cecile Alarcon, MPH, (510) 671-5054, kalarcon@aapcho.org