In a Notice effective July 14, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rescinded prior policy and broadened its interpretation of what constitutes a “federal public benefit” under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA). The new policy interpretation expands the list of federal programs that will be considered “federal public benefits” subject to eligibility restrictions based on immigration status. Consequently, access to these programs, which include community health centers, Head Start, and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics among other programs, is limited to U.S. citizens and “qualified” immigrants only and excludes other “nonqualified” immigrants.
The public health implications of this policy change are dire. Our latest blog provides an overview of PRWORA, the changes to federal public benefits pursuant to the new Notice, and implications for community health centers. You'll find the review, Trump Administration Reverses Decades-Old Policy on Immigrant Eligibility for Federal Programs: Implications for Health Centers in our Notes From Washington feature.