The tax bill that is currently in debate in Congress would significantly impact the health and well-being of migrant and immigrant populations in the United States. Migrant Clinicians Network stands for the basic human rights of all people. This includes the right to request asylum, and the right to health care. Both of these rights are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Both of these rights are taken away from migrants and immigrants through this proposed tax bill.
 

1. The Right to Health Care:

Article 25 of the UDHR states: “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.”

This proposed tax bill includes a provision to penalize the few states that use their own budgets to provide health care coverage to all people within their state, including to people who lack authorization to live or work there. Certain states like California that have prioritized health care for all will be heavily penalized. 

While proponents of the bill promise that this would save money, independent researchers have frequently verified that preventative care and early treatment for diseases are less expensive and more effective than late-stage treatment. When people do not have health coverage, they frequently avoid care, allowing the illness to progress, often to the point where treatment is far more invasive, time-intensive, and costly, and less effective.

Additionally, it is well documented that people without authorization to live and work in the United States provide more funds into the federal system than they use. 

Other provisions in this bill require significant federal cuts to Medicaid, while how those cuts would occur is presently unspecific. Such cuts are likely to more acutely affect the states with higher numbers of people experiencing higher rates of poverty, and/or with greater needs like those with chronic illnesses – the exact same people who need a health safety net the most.

 

2. The Right to Ask for Asylum:

Article 14 of the UDHR states: “Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.”

This tax bill includes a provision that will require a $1,000 asylum application fee, essentially restricting the right to ask for asylum only to people with sufficient funds, going against the purpose and intent of the asylum process.

Such a fee disregards the desperation and fear that push people to migrate to the United States. Many people arrive at the US-Mexico border believing that crossing into the US is their only choice to avoid persecution or death. More people, who would otherwise ask for asylum and go through a process to determine their asylum eligibility, will instead attempt to cross into the US illegally, endangering their lives through the desert and arid areas of the Southwest. 

Other provisions including increased funding to continue construction of a border wall and toward further policing of the border will additionally push migrants to seek alternative and dangerous routes as they flee from danger and seek safety in the US, in the absence of a functioning asylum system.

Migrant Clinicians Network encourages the clinicians in our network and our larger health advocacy community to take action. Call your representative immediately and let them know about your concerns about protecting our basic human rights. Stay informed and share information on this concerning and unprecedented attempt to restrict health care access and asylum requests from those who need it most.