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Q&A
Impact of federal reconciliation bill on healthcare for undocumented immigrants
3:56:44
·
92 sec
Council Member Alexa Avilés raises concerns about provisions in the federal reconciliation bill that could penalize states providing healthcare to undocumented immigrants. Commissioner Manuel Castro discusses potential impacts and the city's stance on healthcare access.
- The bill proposes cutting federal Medicaid funding for states using state-only funds to provide healthcare to undocumented immigrants.
- Castro mentions that Health and Hospitals leadership is concerned about potential impacts on communities.
- The commissioner states that the city has been a strong advocate for expanding healthcare access to all residents, regardless of immigration status.
Alexa Avilés
3:56:44
In terms of in terms of the federal the federal government right now, in this reconciliation bill, we see provisions to penalize states that use state only funds to provide health care to undocumented immigrants by cutting their federal Medicaid funding.
3:57:03
How do you see this potentially affecting New York City and New York State's healthcare initiatives to undocumented communities?
Manuel Castro
3:57:12
Yes.
3:57:12
It's something that I know that is of concern to our health and hospitals and the leadership.
3:57:22
We're looking at potential impacts on our communities.
3:57:27
And again, we can't speculate about what may or may not happen, but we'll be ready to respond when the time comes.
Alexa Avilés
3:57:42
In terms of given that New York State has historically taken steps steps to expand access to health care for all residents regardless of immigration status, do you foresee the proposed federal penalties forcing the state and city to roll back any of these programs?
Manuel Castro
3:58:02
We frankly don't know though the city has been strong advocates of of expanding health care to all its residents in that, you know, we have the adequate resources to be able to meet those needs.