MEDIA ADVISORY: 10.16.12 Hastings Center Adds New Online Resources on Undocumented Patients’ Access to Health Care

(Garrison, NY) Health care and immigration are two of the most contentious issues in American politics today, but in the first presidential debate neither of the candidates addressed the question of access to care for undocumented patients in the U.S. Two new commentaries on The Hastings Center’s website, www.undocumentedpatients.org, highlight the consequences of ignoring this challenge.

The site, which provides statistics, facts, and a wealth of resources, is geared to journalists, policymakers, advocates, and anyone who is interested in issues concerning undocumented patients. It includes:

  • An updated issue brief on how U.S. policy affects access to care to health care for undocumented patients, including the estimated 1.7 million undocumented teenagers and young adults granted deferred action by the Obama administration in June.
  • Two new commentaries that address the consequences of denying health care to undocumented patients.
  • An updated interactive database of key resources featuring selected journal articles, policy studies, and media reports on undocumented immigrants, the health care safety net, and related issues.

The web­site is part of a Hast­ings Cen­ter research project that explores eth­i­cal, legal, and pol­i­cy­mak­ing chal­lenges that arise when undoc­u­mented immi­grants liv­ing in the United States need med­ical care. The project, funded by the Overbrook Foundation Human Rights Program, is directed by Nancy Berlinger and Michael Gusmano.

Reporters who would like to interview Nancy Berlinger or Michael Gusmano should contact:

Michael Turton, Communications Associate
turtonm@thehastingscenter.org
(845) 424 4040 ext. 242.