Today, the HEAL for Immigrant Families Act was introduced in the United States House and Senate.
Dr. Ghazaleh Moayedi, ob/gyn in Texas, founder of Pegasus Health Justice Center, and Board Chair Elect with Physicians for Reproductive Health responds:
“As we continue navigating the realities of a country determined to deny dignity, bodily autonomy, and basic human rights to so many communities, it is more important than ever for us to take steps to ensure those most impacted by the relentless attacks on health care access are able to get the care they need, including immigrant communities.
“As a physician who proudly cares for immigrant communities, and as someone who comes from an immigrant family, ensuring that all people in this country can access necessary, life-saving medical services is central to the healthcare I provide.
Our country should be a safe place for all people to live and thrive.
“No matter who you are or where your family is from, everyone deserves access to high quality, comprehensive reproductive health care. The HEAL Act ensures that immigrant communities can tap into systems like Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and CHIP to take care of themselves and their families. Our country should be a safe place for all people to live and thrive. Our policies should reflect that. Our borders should reflect that. While we call on Congress to pass this critical piece of legislation, I simultaneously call on our whole country to stop policing, harming, abusing, and disrespecting people migrating into the United States. At this very moment, adults and children are being brutalized, tortured, and intentionally drowned at our Southern border. Ensuring the good health and safety of immigrant communities involves not only passing the HEAL Act, but also putting an immediate end to the heinous militarization of our Southern border.”