Mass. health care workers send open letter to protect immigrant access to care

A coalition of health care providers, legal experts, and community members in Massachusetts has issued an open letter urging state health organizations to safeguard immigrants’ access to healthcare in light of deportation concerns. The Health and Law Immigrant Solidarity Network, with over 600 members, including healthcare professionals and legal experts, sent the letter to seven major health networks in the state. The letter emphasizes the negative impact of anti-immigrant policies on the health of immigrants and their communities, calling for hospitals to ensure patient privacy, advocate for immigrant patients and colleagues, and establish medical-legal partnerships. The group aims to work with hospitals to create an industry-wide standard for protecting immigrant patients and address their fears. Discussions are ongoing about next steps, including meeting with hospital representatives and raising awareness of the issue.