Alabama Immigration Law Sparking Public Health Worries

Alabama’s new law against illegal immigration could increase the risk of illnesses, as those targeted avoid seeking care due to fear of arrest and deportation, some health officials say.

Waiting rooms at county health clinics that used to be full now have empty seats because many Hispanic patients have stopped presenting for care, said Dr. Jim McVay, an Alabama Department of Health (DPH) spokesperson. “I don’t want to spread fear, but any time people are afraid to get medical care there are potential complications,” McVay said. “There’s a fear factor that people are out to get them.”

Most of the health programs administered by the clinics are federally funded and are not affected by the new law; however, many immigrants seem unaware of this.

Four years ago, State Health Officer Dr. Donald Williamson advised the Joint Patriotic Immigration Commission not to limit access to services for immigrants, as this might cause people to fear seeking care for conditions including TB. “Avoid erecting barriers that would prevent people from seeking services,” he told the committee.

In the past, state health officials have stressed the importance of health care access, citing diseases affecting immigrant communities such as chicken pox and TB, and the importance of prenatal care to prevent infant mortality.

“[DPH] doesn’t track the ethnicity of individuals seeking treatment at county health clinics,” said Jennifer Ardis, Gov. Robert Bentley’s press secretary. “There are no facts to support any anecdotal story of a decrease or why it may have occurred. Anyone in need of health care should not hesitate to seek it in Alabama.”

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