PND (7/25/2000) -- New Study Finds Public Healthcare Benefits Not a Draw for Immigrants

Contrary to popular belief, most immigrants do not enter the United States because they desire better healthcare services, finds a new report funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. The survey of 973 Latino immigrants finds that the need for employment and a desire to be near family are what draw immigrants to the U.S., and that the prospect of publicly sponsored health benefits has little if any impact on their decision to enter the country.

According to the study's authors, the findings raise doubts about the usefulness of public policies designed to restrict access to healthcare services for immigrants in order to relieve pressure on health and other social service budgets.

"These people are coming to the country to work and be with their families. Putting restrictions on healthcare is not going to stop illegal immigration," commented study co-author Marc L. Berk, Ph.D., director of Project HOPE's Center for Health Affairs. "If states are having budget problems as a result of public health issues, it's not being driven primarily by undocumented immigrants," he added.

The study, conducted by researchers at Project HOPE, appears in the July/August issue of the journal Health Affairs.

"Health Care Not a Factor Driving Immigrants to the United States, Says New Study." Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Press Release 7/17/2000.

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