Healthcare for teenagers and young adults is vitally important. It is a time of transition when physicians can make a real difference by screening for mood disorders, substance use, school concerns, and sexually transmitted infections. For thousands of teenagers in Connecticut, this healthcare is inaccessible due to their documentation status. Husky 4 Immigrants is looking to change that.
As an internal medicine – pediatrics physician in New Haven, I see young patients in my office for a wide range of reasons. Whether it’s a broken bone or a vaccine visit, consistent care is necessary to identify concerns and intervene early in a young person’s life. The biggest barrier to healthcare access is insurance coverage. In Connecticut, Husky Medicaid covers children up to 15 years of age regardless of immigration status. But for noncitizens aged 16 and older, healthcare is limited to emergency room visits or expensive self-pay options.
Husky 4 Immigrants, a coalition created in 2019, is committed to creating a future where every person can access healthcare regardless of immigration status. They have already started to make this vision a reality. Since 2021, they have successfully changed policy to increase Medicaid coverage for undocumented children and pregnant individuals in Connecticut, resulting in a healthier and more productive community. The next step? Expanding coverage to all teens and young adults.
This idea isn’t a pipe dream—it is a viable policy decision. A recent study asked: “What would happen if we expanded Medicaid to the adolescent and young adult population?” Researchers entered the data into a microsimulation, and the results were impressive. Removing immigration status from Medicaid requirements would substantially reduce the uninsured rate among this population at a relatively low cost to Connecticut.
We wouldn’t be the first state to make such a decision. Seven states, including California, New York, and Washington, provide Medicaid to some income-eligible adults regardless of immigration status. Studies show that immigrants in these states are less likely to forgo or delay medical care. They are also more likely to utilize primary care offices rather than crowded emergency rooms for routine care. This is a cost-effective benefit for everyone in these states, decreasing hospital overcrowding and increasing the overall health of the workforce. This could be a reality for Connecticut if elected officials are willing to take the data seriously.
Over the next few months, state representatives will meet to determine the upcoming legislative agenda. They must listen to Husky 4 Immigrants and vote to expand Medicaid coverage for 16- to 25-year-olds regardless of immigration status. At a time when our federal administration is actively making Medicaid cuts, Connecticut needs to set an example by prioritizing the health and well-being of our young people.
When I return to my clinic, I want to focus on counseling teens about vaping or cyberbullying —not watching them fall through the cracks of a broken system. Immigration status should never stand in the way of comprehensive healthcare. Investing in our youth means investing in our collective future. Connecticut must act now.
Teresa Elmore MD is a physician in New Haven.