The administration of mayor bill de Blasio exits the program direct access to health care for immigrants in the end of this month.
A program called Direct Access was launched in 2015 as a pilot project for one year worth $ 6 million. She was the first in a long list of proposals issued by the Task force of the mayor to ensure the access of immigrants to health care that de Blasio convened in 2014.
The city government has not provided new funds for the replacement program, and so far only say that they hope to create something more ambitious, providing assistance to all vulnerable groups, not just illegal immigrants.
The decision has disappointed supporters of the program, as she has had a great impact on the immigrant community who were able to access higher quality health services.
De Blasio created a task force to educate immigrants about available options for medical care. Many defenders noted that the members of this group rarely acquire insurance that often means the inability to obtain quality care.
The Direct Access program, launched thanks to a $ 3.2 million received from non-profit organizations that allow immigrants to access health care programsprovided by social services of the city. For example, Medicaid is available to anyone aged 19 years, regardless of immigration status.
But two years later, the program that helped approximately 1300 people, ends. Officials from the de Blasio administration said they were investigating the issue of health care provision in the light of the battle over health care that took place in Washington.
Chris Miller, a spokesman for the Department of health and mental hygiene, said that the Direct Access program provided useful information that can help when creating a new project, which will provide similar services to the population.
The authorities also state that they will continue to work with undocumented immigrants, telling them about their rights to health.
