Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Center for Immigrant Healthcare Justice

What kind of Organization is The Center for Immigrant Healthcare Justice?
The CIHJ is an educational 501(c)3 Organization. This designation means that donations to the Center are tax deductible. We are not a political organization. We are not sponsored by any other organization. We have a similar mission to many faith based groups, but remain an independent organization.

Why advocate for immigrants, when so many other people don't have healthcare?
Solidarity with immigrants will benefit everyone in society. In America, all rights tend to be treated as if they were political rights. Thus, as one receives citizenship, more benefits are available to them than to non-citizens. This is appropriate in terms of political rights, but what of human rights? Because of "rights stratification" we believe that if the right to healthcare can be secured for immigrants, then every member of society will be covered, since immigrants are the least likely population to receive recognition of the right.

What has happened to legal immigrant healthcare since the passage of "welfare reform" in 1996?
Most legal immigrants to the United States are denied federal Medicaid benefits for the first five years of residency in the United States. By every measure, immigrants have suffered since the passage of this law in 1996. While many states have tried to find ways to restore lost federal aid, almost half the states provide little or no coverage for legal immigrants living within their borders.

How many immigrants lack health insurance?
The Kaiser Family Foundation reported in 2006 that 22 percent of the 46 million persons in America without health insurance are immigrants.

Is it true that the United States is the only developed nation that does not provide healthcare for everyone?
Yes, the United States is the only developed nation on earth that does not recognize and secure a constitutional right to healthcare. We depend on employers to provide expensive health insurance to their workers. However, many immigrants work in industries that do not offer this benefit.

Does the United States have the best healthcare system in the world?
Since the healthcare system in the United States is not accessible to one fifth of the population, it is hard to say it is the best in the world. More than 30 other nations provide coverage to EVERY member of their society. However, America spends twice as much per patient on healthcare than do other nations. It can be said, therefore, that the United States has the most expensive healthcare system in the world.

How will The Center for Immigrant Healthcare Justice achieve its goal of educating the general public about the right to healthcare by programs of solidarity with the immigrants of the nation?
The Center will accomplish its mission in three ways:
1) National solidarity campaign. We will invite tens of thousands of persons to sign a statement of solidarity saying we believe in the right to healthcare.
2) New Physicians Network. The Center will conduct research and publish articles about the medical community and those who deliver healthcare to immigrants.
3) Immigrant Healthcare Information Bank. The Center will provide information to immigrants seeking healthcare access and will provide needed information to those who serve their healthcare needs.

Who does the Center work with to accomplish its mission?
We work with universities, medical systems, healthcare agencies, religious communities, churches, and the general public. We want every person in society to acknowledge the right to healthcare for every member of society.