PHLP Joins Advocates Urging Passage of Federal LIFT the BAR Act

Yesterday, PHLP joined more than 500 organizations from all over the country by signing a letter urging Congress to advance the Lifting Immigrant Families Through Benefits Access Restoration (LIFT the BAR) Act, sponsored by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington-7). The new bill would reverse policies that restrict eligibility for federal assistance programs for millions of immigrants who are lawfully present in the United States.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that denying people the basics we all need to thrive because they were born outside the United States puts us all in danger,” the letter reads. “By denying health care and aid to otherwise-eligible people who are lawfully present, the five-year bar sets a dangerous precedent that makes the social safety net inaccessible to millions in families of color.”

PHLP is proud to support the Lift the Bar Act, a critical bill that would provide lawfully present immigrant families with much needed access to health care through programs like Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

For additional information on the LIFT the BAR Act, visit the Protecting Immigrant Families (PIF) LIFT the BAR Resource Hub.