Online Program

Oral

Every day, 11.5 million undocumented immigrants live in the shadows. They feel they can't access public health and health care services, because they fear deportation. Fifty-eight percent are of Mexican descent, 23% of other Latin American descent, 11% of Asian American Pacific Islander descent and 8% of African, European and other descent. This session has two purposes. One, is to shed light on what it is like to be undocumented under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For example, under the ACA, the undocumented will be eligible to receive public health services (immunizations and treatment of communicable diseases), and care from emergency-rooms, community health centers, free clinics, and safety net hospitals. Under the ACA, however, the undocumented will not be able to buy affordable private health insurance through the Health Insurance Exchange. Two, is to shed light on innovative practices that select states and national organizations are taking, pending debate and passage of the Affordable Care Act. Presenters will examine the issue from the perspective of the undocumented, care providers, legal implications, and the human rights imperative, to develop innovative approaches to providing public health and health care services for the undocumented.

Session Objectives: Identify disparities in public health and health care access for the undocumented in the United States of America. Develop new, innovative, state-based approaches that address health access for the undocumented. Design new, innovative approaches for addressing health access and health outcomes for undocumented persons in the United States of America.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)