Expanding Definitions of Emergency Preparedness
By Candace Kugel, CRNP, CNM, MS | December 3, 2007
Increasing numbers of worksite raids across the country exemplify the intensity of stepped up immigration enforcement activities. It is especially heart wrenching to hear the stories of citizen children who are left behind in precarious situations when their undocumented parents are detained or deported (see NCLR’s website). In light of these actions, advocates and service providers are attempting to prepare immigrants and their family members should they endure a raid. In these efforts, we might do well to think about how preparing for raids overlaps with our efforts in planning for emergency and/or disaster preparedness. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Emergency Preparedness | 1 Comment »
Are Social Security Numbers Required for Health Care?
By Jennie McLaurin, MD, MPH | November 19, 2007
We’ve all heard that immigrants may fear giving out personal information to authorities, especially if they, or their loved ones, are here without documentation. But just how widespread is the problem of requiring Social Security numbers (SSNs) as American residents seek health care? I recently had a first-hand taste of what patients deal with every day.
After waiting two months for an appointment, I had my first visit with my new doctor. She came highly recommended as both technically competent and personally compassionate.
I came to the small office and was greeted in the usual manner, given a clipboard of forms to fill out. When I saw they wanted my SSN, I put a line through it. I did give my date of birth, full name, address, employment. The receptionist looked over my forms and said she needed my SSN. I responded that I had been advised by my bank to never give that to a doctor’s office, as identity theft was now hitting medical offices.
I was then told that I simply couldn’t be seen! Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Social Justice, Immigration | 2 Comments »
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