China News Service, May 6 (Xindao Daily) reported that the New York City Mayor's Office of Immigration Affairs (MOIA) recently released a report pointing out that 12% of the city's immigrants have no medical insurance. Facing the severe epidemic situation, New York City provides various assistance and emergency services to immigrants. New York City Mayor Immigration Office Director Bitta Mostofi recently introduced the specific contents of these aids and services to the Chinese community through an online lecture.
Mostofi said that before the epidemic, the New York City government had already launched some services in the medical field, regardless of the immigration status or economic status of the citizens, they can get these medical services. In 2019, the city's public hospital system launched a health care plan (NYC Care), which provides free or low-cost medical insurance for citizens who are not eligible for medical insurance.
Affected by the new "Public Charge" (Public Charge) regulations, many immigrants worry that using medical services provided by the government will become a public burden. Mostofi emphasized that the federal government has made it clear that acceptance and testing of new coronary pneumonia is not a public burden. The public burden is mainly for immigrants without a green card. Green card holders, immigrants who have become naturalized, victims of domestic violence, victims of human trafficking, or witnesses are not affected. In addition, basic plan insurance (Essential Plan), emergency white card, child health insurance, white card used by pregnant women, etc. are not a public burden.
In terms of food safety, Mostofi pointed out that the city government provides 3 ways to distribute free food to the citizens, which can be obtained by people of any immigration status or economic income. The first method is to receive it through a designated community organization. The second method is to participate in the Grab and Go free meal plan. There are more than 400 distribution points in the city. People can check their homes on the Education Bureau website Site. The third method is aimed at the elderly, people with disabilities, and groups unable to go out, applying for food delivery services on the official website of the New York government or by calling 311.
She also introduced that if people need to apply for food stamps, cash assistance, housing compensation, etc., they can visit the official website of the Municipal Human Resources Administration (HRA) for details. Those unemployed due to the epidemic can apply for unemployment benefits from the New York State Department of Labor, which is not a public burden. Immigrants have any questions about the epidemic, you can visit the official website of the New York government for details. (Yan Xingyue)