American Journal of Public Health
Volume 104, Issue 3, 2014, Pages 397-405

Impact of Alabama's immigration law on access to health care among latina immigrants and children: Implications for national reform (Article)

White K. , Yeager V.A. , Menachemi N. , Scarinci I.C.*
  • a Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, United States
  • b Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama, 1720 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States
  • c Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, United States
  • d Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama, 1720 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States, Department of Global Health Systems and Development, Tulane University, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States

Abstract

We conducted in-depth interviews in May to July 2012 to evaluate the effect of Alabama's 2011 omnibus immigration law on Latina immigrants and their US- and foreign-born children's access to and use of health services. The predominant effect of the law on access was a reduction in service availability. Affordability and acceptability of care were adversely affected because of economic insecurity and women's increased sense of discrimination. Nonpregnant women and foreign-born children experienced the greatest barriers, but pregnant women andmothers ofUS-born children also had concerns about accessing care. The implications of restricting access to health services and the potential impact this has on public health should be considered in local and national immigration reform discussions.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

management human health service Alabama Hispanic Americans qualitative research United States Humans Hispanic female pregnancy Article adult migration legal aspect Utilization Review Emigration and Immigration Maternal Health Services policy making Health Services Accessibility health care delivery Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84894082086&doi=10.2105%2fAJPH.2013.301560&partnerID=40&md5=d0d9ce6902170281934d538f53d9f948
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301560
ISSN: 00900036
Cited by: 33
Original Language: English