Open AccessImpact of Alabama’s Immigration Law on Access to Health Care Among Latina Immigrants and Children: Implications for National Reform
Author(s) -
Kari White,
Valerie A. Yeager,
Nir Menachemi,
Isabel C. Scarinci
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2013.301560
Subject(s) - immigration , foreign born , public health , medicine , political science , health care , immigration law , economic growth , demographic economics , environmental health , gerontology , law , nursing , economics
We conducted in-depth interviews in May to July 2012 to evaluate the effect of Alabama's 2011 omnibus immigration law on Latina immigrants and their US- and foreign-born children's access to and use of health services. The predominant effect of the law on access was a reduction in service availability. Affordability and acceptability of care were adversely affected because of economic insecurity and women's increased sense of discrimination. Nonpregnant women and foreign-born children experienced the greatest barriers, but pregnant women and mothers of US-born children also had concerns about accessing care. The implications of restricting access to health services and the potential impact this has on public health should be considered in local and national immigration reform discussions.